Hyderabad: A Hyderabad resident lost 18 members of his family in the Madina bus accident in Saudi Arabia. The victims were travelling for Umrah when their bus caught fire after a collision near Madina. The scale of the loss has left families in the city in deep grief.
Thirty five year old Syed Rashid said he had seen the group off at Hyderabad airport on November 9. He urged them not to travel together, especially with children. The group included his parents, Shaik Naseeruddin, aged 65, and Akhter Begum, aged 60. His brother, sister in law, and their three children were also on the bus. Relatives Sirajuddin, who lived in the United States, his wife Sana and their three children were part of the group. Other extended family members, including Amina Begum and her daughter, Shameena Begum and her son, and Rizwana Begum and her two children, also died.
Rashid said he never thought his last meeting with them at the airport would turn into a permanent goodbye. He said the family would have had survivors if they had split the group for travel.
Another Hyderabad resident said he lost five close relatives. He urged the government to ensure the bodies are brought back to India. Families gathered at Haj House through the day for updates on their loved ones.
A representative from Al Meena Travel Agency said twenty pilgrims had left in the group. Sixteen were travelling from Makkah to Madina after prayers. Saudi authorities later confirmed that all passengers on the bus had died.
