The Telangana Cabinet announced on Monday that the deceased would be laid to rest in Saudi Arabia in accordance with local norms. Two family members of each victim will be sent to attend the funerals. Despite reports suggesting families may choose repatriation or burial in Medina’s Jannatul Baqi cemetery, Saudi regulations make transporting bodies out of the kingdom extremely difficult.
Saudi Arabia does not provide government compensation for road accidents, and any financial relief depends on police investigations establishing fault on the part of the tanker driver or company. Families must file civil claims, a process that can take several months.
Survivor Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, 24, the only passenger to escape the burning vehicle, remains hospitalised in Medina. The deceased include 18 women, 17 men, and 10 children. Nine children and nine adults belonged to the same extended family.
Authorities said the crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. IST near Muhras, about 25 km from Medina. Many passengers were asleep when the tanker rammed the parked bus. According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umrah pilgrims sign a mandatory declaration acknowledging that, in the event of death, burial will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep grief and said the Indian mission in Riyadh is coordinating with Saudi authorities. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to the Centre to facilitate repatriation and support the injured.
The Telangana government has announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia for each victim and is working with the Indian Embassy to complete identification procedures.
