42 Indians have died in a bus accident in Medina, Saudi Arabia. According to the Indian Mission in Jeddah, the bus was carrying Indian pilgrims going to perform Umrah. 42 people are reported to have died in this accident, while one person is left alive. Meanwhile, the rules made in Saudi Arabia regarding Hajj and Umrah are very clear. According to these rules, if a pilgrim dies during pilgrimage to Mecca, Medina or any part of Saudi Arabia, then his body is not allowed to be sent to his country. This system has been in place for years and every passenger is given information about it before setting out on a journey.

Saudi Hajj law recognizes that Hajj and Umrah are religious pilgrimages and not an insurance-based government facility. In such a situation, no compensation is given by the Saudi government in case of death during pilgrimage. Yes, if someone has got private insurance in India and his policy covers such cases then he can get help on that basis, but this process is not from the Saudi administration. This happens through the traveller’s country and the insurance company.

Declaration form to be signed before Hajj
Hajj and Umrah pilgrims have to sign an official form. It is clearly written in this form that if death occurs during the journey, be it in Mecca, Medina, on any Saudi road or in a plane, then the last rites of the deceased will be performed in Saudi Arabia only. Even if the family objects later, it is not legally possible to send the body back because the passenger has already given permission for it.

Also read: Gold Smuggler: Gold bars worth Rs 1 crore 55 lakh were hidden in an iron box, when the secret was revealed…