Telangana government team led by Minister Mohammed Azharuddin travels to Madinah to coordinate with Saudi authorities, assist families of Umrah accident victims, and oversee final rites.

Telangana Delegation Departs for Madinah to Support Bereaved Families

In the wake of the tragic bus accident near Madinah that claimed the lives of 45 Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad, a Telangana government delegation led by Minorities Minister Mohammed Azharuddin flew to Saudi Arabia on Monday night to offer direct support to affected families and coordinate relief efforts.

Accompanied by Minorities Welfare Secretary B. Shafiullah and AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain, the team will work with Saudi officials to complete procedural formalities and ensure that the deceased pilgrims are laid to rest according to their families’ wishes and local customs. The initiative is being closely monitored by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, officials confirmed.

Relatives to Travel on Tuesday

Around 35 family members—two representatives from each bereaved household—are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, November 18. Their visa applications have been processed urgently, and expired passports were renewed on priority through the Regional Passport Office in Hyderabad.

Before departure, Minister Azharuddin held a meeting with government adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini, and TMREIS president A K Faheem Qureshi to review logistical arrangements.

Government Support and Official Confirmation

The Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the last rites will be performed in Saudi Arabia, in alignment with both family consent and local protocols. The Telangana government has announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia for each bereaved family.

The presence of senior officials, led by a state minister, underscores Telangana’s proactive approach in disaster response. Swift visa clearance and assistance indicate strong coordination between local authorities and the Saudi embassy. In times of distress, such gestures not only offer emotional support but also reinforce public confidence in the administration’s responsiveness.

As Hyderabad is home to a large number of Umrah and Haj travellers, this intervention could prompt the government to review and strengthen pre-departure protocols and emergency preparedness for pilgrims.