Jaishankar issues statement as 42 Indians feared dead in Saudi bus-tanker crash
In a devastating turn of events, a massive bus-tanker accident in Saudi Arabia has left at least 42 Indian pilgrims feared dead. The tragic incident occurred when a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker, resulting in a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle. The news has sent shockwaves across the country, with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar being the first to issue a statement on the incident.
Condoling the deaths, Jaishankar expressed his deep shock and sadness at the loss of life. “Deeply shocked…Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families,” he said. The Minister’s statement comes as a reassurance to the families of the victims, who are still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
The bus, which was carrying Umrah pilgrims, was traveling from Medina to Mecca when the accident occurred. The collision with the diesel tanker resulted in a massive fire that quickly spread, engulfing the bus and trapping the passengers inside. The rescue efforts were hindered by the intensity of the fire, which made it difficult for the emergency services to reach the victims.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah have swung into action, providing support to the Indian nationals and families affected by the tragedy. The Embassy has set up a helpline to assist the families of the victims and is working closely with the Saudi authorities to identify the bodies and facilitate their repatriation to India.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. While the Saudi authorities have taken several measures to improve the safety of pilgrims, accidents like these still occur, resulting in the loss of life. The Indian government has been working closely with the Saudi authorities to improve the safety and security of Indian pilgrims, but more needs to be done to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Umrah pilgrimage is a sacred journey for Muslims, and thousands of Indians travel to Saudi Arabia every year to perform the rituals. The pilgrimage is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, and the Indian government has been working to facilitate the travel of Indian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. However, the safety and security of pilgrims remain a major concern, and the government needs to take more effective measures to prevent accidents like these.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Indian government has announced that it will provide all necessary assistance to the families of the victims. The government will also work with the Saudi authorities to investigate the cause of the accident and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The incident has also raised questions about the safety of the vehicles used to transport pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. The bus that was involved in the accident was reportedly a old vehicle, which may have contributed to the severity of the accident. The Indian government needs to work with the Saudi authorities to ensure that only safe and reliable vehicles are used to transport pilgrims.
As the news of the tragedy spreads, people across India are coming together to condole the deaths and offer support to the families of the victims. The incident is a stark reminder of the risks faced by pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia and the need for the government to take more effective measures to ensure their safety and security.
In conclusion, the bus-tanker accident in Saudi Arabia is a tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of life of at least 42 Indian pilgrims. The Indian government has issued a statement condoling the deaths and announcing support for the families of the victims. The incident highlights the need for the government to take more effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future and to ensure the safety and security of Indian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Source: https://x.com/ANI/status/1990286797906284597
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