Key Takeaways
- A bus carrying 24 Indonesian Umrah pilgrims caught fire approximately 50 kilometres from Madinah on March 26, 2026.
- All 24 passengers evacuated safely with no fatalities or physical injuries, though some children experienced mild trauma.
- All passports were recovered intact, but luggage and personal belongings inside the bus were destroyed in the fire.
A bus carrying 24 Indonesian Umrah pilgrims caught fire on a highway near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, March 26, 2026, during a journey from Makkah to Madinah. The incident occurred approximately 50 kilometres from the city centre, shortly after the vehicle passed the final checkpoint into the holy city.
Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah, Yusron Ambary, confirmed that all passengers escaped safely with no fatalities or physical injuries. Replacement buses were arranged to transport the pilgrims onward to Madinah.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to Yusron, the driver noticed a tyre burst followed by smoke emerging from the front of the bus and immediately pulled over. All passengers were asked to disembark before the fire took hold of the vehicle. The prompt response by the driver allowed everyone on board to exit safely before the situation worsened.
Of the 24 people on board, most were from West Sumatra, Indonesia. The driver was an Egyptian national. While all 24 pilgrims escaped without physical injury, all luggage and personal belongings left inside the bus were destroyed in the fire. All passports, however, were recovered fully intact and undamaged.
No Reckless Driving — Technical Fault Suspected
Preliminary findings point to a technical fault in the vehicle rather than any reckless driving on the part of the driver. The Consulate General of Indonesia (KJRI) in Jeddah said it will continue to monitor the case, including any potential compensation from the transport operator.
KJRI’s Protection Task Force met with the group leader and pilgrim representatives in Madinah on Friday night to follow up directly with those affected.
Pilgrims Safe in Madinah Hotel
The 24 pilgrims are currently in good condition and staying at a hotel in Madinah. Some children among the group experienced mild trauma following the incident. The pilgrims are scheduled to return to Indonesia on March 31, 2026, aboard a Garuda Indonesia flight departing from Madinah.
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