Hubballi Umrah pilgrim among 45 killed in Saudi accident.
Hubballi’s Abdul Ghani Shirhatti was among 45 Indian pilgrims tragically killed in a horrific bus-tanker crash near Medina.
Hyderabad: The devastating road accident in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims has left families across the country shattered — among them, the loved ones What was meant to be a deeply spiritual journey for him ended in unimaginable tragedy on a quiet road near Medina.
Abdul Ghani had spent nearly three decades working in the Middle East. Friends say he was a soft-spoken, hardworking man who supported his family in Hubballi with quiet dedication. After 28 years abroad, he had decided to perform Umrah — a dream he had cherished for long. But that dream came to a sudden, heartbreaking end when the bus carrying Indian pilgrims collided with a fuel tanker, resulting in a massive explosion that engulfed the vehicle within moments.
Entire families back home are struggling to accept the magnitude of the loss. The accident, one of the deadliest involving Indian nationals in recent years, killed 45 people — many from Hyderabad, Karnataka, and other parts of southern India. The charred remains of the bus told the story of how fierce the blaze was, leaving little time for passengers to escape.
Only one survivor — fighting for life
Amid the horror, a single passenger miraculously survived. He is currently in critical condition at a Saudi hospital, battling severe burn injuries. Indian officials in Riyadh and Jeddah have been coordinating with Saudi authorities to ensure he receives the best possible medical care.
For the families of the victims, however, the only news that arrives is heartbreaking. What began as a sacred journey for blessings has turned into days of grief, disbelief, and desperate waiting for the return of their loved ones’ remains.
Community in Hubballi in deep shock
In Ganeshpeth, Hubballi, Abdul Ghani’s home has turned into a place of mourning. Relatives, neighbours, and well-wishers have been gathering since the news broke. People who knew him describe him as a kind-hearted man who always stayed connected to his roots despite living abroad for many years.
Former minister A.M. He extended prayers for the family, urging them to remain strong during this painful time. His loss is deeply felt,” Hindasgeri said.
Family members say he had called them just days earlier, sharing his excitement about performing Umrah and asking them to pray for him. No one imagined that it would be their last conversation.
A tragic crash that left no chance
According to officials, the bus-tanker collision was so intense that the explosion spread through the vehicle within minutes. Rescue personnel described the scene as one of the most harrowing they had witnessed.
Saudi authorities arrived quickly, but the sheer impact of the blast made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Most victims could not be identified easily due to burn injuries, complicating the repatriation process.
Support and condolences from leaders
The Telangana government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for each of the deceased pilgrim’s families. Karnataka officials are also coordinating with the central government to offer support to families in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several Union ministers, expressed deep condolences, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking” and assuring that India is working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure that all necessary arrangements — from medical care to repatriation — are carried out with urgency and sensitivity.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has deployed special teams to assist families, coordinate documentation, and ensure timely transport of remains back to India. MEA officials said they are in continuous touch with Saudi authorities to complete the identification and repatriation process as quickly as possible.
Back home — grief that words cannot capture
For Abdul Ghani’s family in Hubballi, the grief is overwhelming. His children, relatives, and neighbours remember him as someone who always smiled, someone who carried the weight of responsibility for years without complaint. They had been waiting eagerly for him to return to India soon, perhaps even to settle permanently after decades abroad.
Instead, what returns now is a painful silence filled with memories and unanswered questions. Why did such a tragedy strike during what was meant to be a prayer-filled journey? Why did fate choose that bus, on that road, at that moment?
As families across Karnataka, Telangana, and other states mourn, the accident has once again highlighted the unpredictable dangers that pilgrims sometimes face while travelling in foreign lands. For many, the pain will take years to heal — some, perhaps, never completely.
Abdul Ghani Shirhatti’s journey, like that of dozens of others on that ill-fated bus, ended far too soon. What remains is a community united in grief, a family devastated, and a nation joining together to honour the lives lost in this tragic accident.