RIYADH — At least 42 people are feared dead after a bus transporting Indian Umrah pilgrims collided with a tanker in western Saudi Arabia, according to early reports from local media and Indian officials.

The bus, carrying pilgrims from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, was travelling from Makkah to Madinah when it crashed near Al-Muwayh, a town located roughly 180 kilometres from Taif. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn and catch fire, leaving most passengers trapped inside.

Saudi Civil Defence teams, police, and emergency medical units rushed to the scene, but the intensity of the blaze made rescue efforts extremely challenging. Authorities said the bus was completely burned, complicating the identification of the victims.

Unverified initial accounts suggest many of those on board were women and children. Some reports indicate that one or more passengers may have survived, though there is no official confirmation yet.

Relatives of the pilgrims in Hyderabad and surrounding districts have been contacting travel agents and officials, trying to determine whether their family members were on the ill-fated bus.

The Ministry of External Affairs is working with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah to verify the number of Indian nationals involved and assist in the identification process.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the state government was in touch with central authorities and Saudi officials. He has directed senior state officers to gather complete details of the pilgrims and ensure that support is extended to affected families.

Saudi authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. The exact number of casualties and identities of the victims are expected to be released once recovery and forensic procedures are completed.