At least 45 people are feared to have died after a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker near Medina. Around 42 of those who died were Indian nationals, according to local media in Saudi Arabia.

The bus was reportedly on its way from Mecca to Medina when the crash happened around 1.30 am IST near Mufrihat. Most passengers on the bus were from Hyderabad in Telangana, Khaleej Times reported.

The group was reportedly returning from Mecca after completing their rituals and was en route to Medina at the time of the accident.

According to a Gulf News report, many passengers were reportedly asleep at the time, leaving them little chance to escape when the bus burst into flames after the collision.

The report said at least 11 women and 10 children were among the victims, though authorities are still verifying the numbers. 

Rescue teams said the bus was completely charred, making identification of victims extremely challenging. Reports claimed one person, Mohd Abdul Shoiab, has survived and is in hospital. However, his condition is unknown.

The Telangana government has said it is in contact with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has asked officials in New Delhi to coordinate closely with embassy authorities.

The government also has the Resident Commissioner to collect the details of the number of victims from Telangana in the accident, and a control room has been set up in the state secretariat.