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Sole Survivor Returns Home After Deadly Saudi Bus Inferno — 'I Was Helpless' as He Couldn’t Reach His Family

08:21 AM, 12/04/2025
Sole Survivor Returns Home After Deadly Saudi Bus Inferno — 'I Was Helpless' as He Couldn’t Reach His Family

Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, 24, is the lone surviving passenger of a Nov. 17 bus crash in Saudi Arabia that killed 45 people. He sustained burns and a fractured leg while escaping, and he was unable to reach his parents and grandmother as the fire spread within minutes. Shoaib walked to a nearby police checkpoint for help and has returned to Hyderabad with government assistance. Authorities continue to investigate the collision and the rapid progression of the blaze.

Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, 24, has returned to his home in Hyderabad after surviving a catastrophic bus collision in Saudi Arabia that killed 45 people. Shoaib was the only passenger to survive the blaze.

The crash occurred on Nov. 17 as a coach carrying pilgrims was traveling from Mecca to Medina. The bus had stopped roadside when a passenger requested a brief break, and moments later an oil tanker struck the stationary vehicle. The collision triggered a rapidly spreading fire at approximately 1:30 a.m., when most passengers were asleep.

Eyewitnesses said flames engulfed the bus within minutes. The driver escaped by jumping through a window, and Shoaib followed. During his escape, he sustained burns and fractured his leg. He attempted to return to help family members, but the intensity of the fire made rescue impossible.

"I wanted to save my family, but the fire was everywhere," Shoaib said. "I was helpless."

Shoaib’s father, mother and maternal grandmother died in the crash. After fleeing the burning vehicle, he walked barefoot to a nearby police checkpoint and was taken to hospital for treatment. Medical teams treated his burns and his fractured leg; he has said he is uncertain whether he will regain full mobility.

Return Home and Aftermath

With assistance from the Telangana state government, Shoaib has been repatriated to Hyderabad to continue his recovery and to be with surviving relatives. His family and community are coping with the profound loss while seeking further support for his ongoing medical needs.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances that allowed an oil tanker to collide with the stopped bus and the factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Officials contacted for comment did not immediately respond.

The tragedy has drawn attention to the risks associated with long-distance road travel and the need for improved safety measures for pilgrims and other long-haul journeys. Shoaib and his family now face both the emotional toll of their loss and uncertainty about his long-term recovery.

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