Goa, Nov. 18 -- A tragic road accident near Medina in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of 42 Indian pilgrims, including 18 members of a single family from Hyderabad - nine of them children. The family had travelled for Umrah and was scheduled to return home on Saturday, relatives said.

"My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, their son, three daughters and their children went for Umrah. They left eight days ago. The Umrah was done, and they were returning to Medina. Around 1.30 am, the accident occurred, and the bus was destroyed in the fire. They were supposed to return on Saturday," said Mohammed Asif, a relative of the victims.

Asif said they had been in regular contact with their family members until the tragedy unfolded. "Eighteen memb...