Umrah accident: Bodies of 45 Indians to be buried in Saudi Arabia in this cemetery founded by Prophet Muhammad

New Delhi: The bodies of 45 India(BHARAT)n citizens who lost their lives in a bus accident on Saudi Arabia’s Mecca-Medina Highway late Sunday night (November 16) will not be repatriated. All of them were in Saudi Arabia for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage.

The Telangana Cabinet, on Monday, November 17, decided that the deceased will be buried in Saudi Arabia according to their religious customs. Two members from each victim’s family will be sent to Saudi Arabia to attend the funeral.

Saudi law makes the return of bodies extremely difficult

According to some media reports, relatives will be given the option of bringing the bodies back to India(BHARAT) or burying them in Jannatul Baqi in Medina. However, Saudi law makes the return of bodies extremely difficult.

Furthermore, receiving immediate compensation for the victims’ families is also difficult, as Saudi Arabia does not provide direct government compensation for road accidents.

Compensation can only be received if the police investigation determines that the tanker driver or the company is at fault, and the family files a legal claim. This process can take several months.

The bodies of pilgrims are not sent back from Saudi Arabia

According to media reports, pilgrims are required to sign a declaration form before embarking on the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage. It clearly states that if a pilgrim dies on Saudi soil (Mecca, Medina, or anywhere else), the body will be buried there.

According to the India(BHARAT)n government, if a non-pilgrim India(BHARAT)n dies in Saudi Arabia, the body can be brought to India(BHARAT) or buried in Saudi Arabia, depending on the wishes of the deceased’s legal heirs.

A fuel tanker hit the bus

A bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Mecca to Medina was parked on the side of the road when a speeding fuel tanker hit the bus from behind. Most of the deceased were from Hyderabad, Telangana.

The accident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. India(BHARAT)n Standard Time (IST) on Sunday, near Muhras, about 25 km from Medina. Many passengers were sleeping at the time and had no chance of survival.

The deceased include 18 women, 17 men, and 10 children. Only one person survived the accident. He has been identified as Mohammad Abdul Shoaib (24), who was sitting next to the driver.