Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy distributed ex-gratia checks to the families of the victims who perished in the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia last year. During an event held on Saturday, the Chief Minister handed over compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the kin of the 44 deceased individuals from Hyderabad. Additionally, those who sustained injuries in the accident were provided with financial assistance of ₹3 lakh each to support their medical recovery.
The horrific accident occurred on November 17, 2025, while the pilgrims were traveling from Mecca to Medina. According to reports, the bus carrying the pilgrims rammed into a diesel tanker from behind, causing an immediate and massive explosion. The fire spread so rapidly that 44 residents of Hyderabad were burnt alive, most of whom were caught off guard while sleeping. The victims included 18 women, 17 men, and 10 children, marking one of the most devastating tragedies involving Indian pilgrims abroad.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasized that while governments typically do not provide compensation for accidents occurring outside the country, the Telangana government chose to act on humanitarian grounds due to the severe distress of the affected families. He recalled that the state government had coordinated closely with the Union Ministry of External Affairs and even sent Minister Azharuddin to Madinah to oversee rescue and relief operations at the time. The CM assured the families that the government remains committed to supporting its citizens during times of crisis, whether at home or abroad.
