Hyderabad, November 17, 2025 – In a devastating blow to families across Telangana, a horrific bus accident in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of at least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims, most of them from Hyderabad, while back home, escalating political rivalries have led to online threats against a prominent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) spokesperson. The incidents, unfolding just days apart, have cast a shadow over the state, blending profound grief with rising concerns over digital harassment in the political arena.
#### Umrah Pilgrims' Bus Collides with Diesel Tanker Near Medina, Sparking Deadly Fire
The tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday near the holy city of Medina, as a bus ferrying Umrah pilgrims from Makkah burst into flames after colliding with a diesel tanker. The vehicle, carrying around 45 passengers—predominantly from Telangana's capital Hyderabad—was en route to the Prophet's Mosque when the accident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. IST. Local reports indicate that the impact caused the tanker to rupture, igniting a massive inferno that charred the bus beyond recognition.
Preliminary death toll stands at 42, including 20 women and 11 children, with authorities fearing the number could rise as identification efforts continue. Among the victims were entire families on what was meant to be a spiritually fulfilling journey during the ongoing Umrah season. A partial list of the deceased, released by the Telangana government, includes names like Mohammed Abdul Rahman, Fatima Bi, and several others from Hyderabad's Old City neighborhoods, where the news has triggered widespread mourning.
Miraculously, one survivor emerged from the wreckage: 24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoiab from Hyderabad's Falaknuma area. Rescued with severe burns, Shoiab recounted to rescuers how the bus driver attempted to swerve but failed to avoid the tanker. He is currently receiving treatment at a Medina hospital, where Indian consular officials have rushed to his bedside.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed profound sorrow, describing the incident as "a heartbreaking loss for our state." The government has established a dedicated control room in Hyderabad (helpline: 1800-425-1111) to assist families and is coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah for repatriation of remains and DNA-based identification. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has also assured full diplomatic support, with a team dispatched to the site.
Eyewitnesses and Saudi civil defense officials reported that the fire spread rapidly due to the tanker's fuel load, reducing the bus to ashes within minutes. Investigations are underway to determine if speeding, poor visibility, or mechanical failure contributed to the crash. Social media has been flooded with tributes, with users from across India sharing prayers for the souls of the departed. "This is not just a loss for Telangana, but for every family that dreams of the Haram," tweeted BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao, urging immediate safety audits for pilgrim transport.
The accident has reignited calls for enhanced road safety protocols for Indian pilgrims in the Kingdom, following similar incidents during Hajj seasons in recent years. Community leaders in Hyderabad's Muslim-majority areas have organized special prayers at local mosques, with grief-stricken relatives gathering outside the state secretariat seeking swift government intervention.
#### BRS Spokesperson Manne Krishank Targeted with Online Threats After CM Criticism
In a separate but equally alarming development, BRS spokesperson Manne Krishank has become the latest victim of online vitriol, receiving explicit death threats on social media platforms just two days ago. The threats, which included graphic warnings of violence, surfaced shortly after Krishank publicly criticized Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over alleged irregularities in the recent Jubilee Hills bypoll.
Krishank, a vocal BRS critic of the ruling Congress government, shared screenshots of the menacing messages on X (formerly Twitter), where he tagged cybercrime authorities and demanded immediate action. "This is the ugly face of politics today—threats instead of debate," he posted, vowing not to be silenced. The incident has been linked to heightened tensions following the bypoll, where BRS accused Congress of voter intimidation and misuse of state machinery.
Hyderabad police have registered a case under relevant sections of the IT Act and are tracing the IP addresses of the anonymous accounts involved. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao condemned the threats, calling them "state-sponsored goondaism" and drawing parallels to earlier complaints against the CM's "supporters." Party leaders have approached the Election Commission, alleging a pattern of harassment to suppress opposition voices ahead of upcoming local body elections.
Cyber experts note that such incidents are on the rise in Telangana's polarized political landscape, with over 150 similar complaints filed this year alone. "Digital threats are the new frontline in our battles," said a senior BRS MP, urging platforms like X to enhance moderation.
As Telangana grapples with these twin crises—one of unimaginable loss and the other of eroding democratic norms—calls for unity and restraint have grown louder. The state government has promised a thorough probe into the threats, while pilgrimage safety remains a pressing national priority. Families of the pilgrims wait in anguished silence, their faith tested by fate's cruel hand.
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