KJRI Jeddah Quick Action to Handle Reports of Umrah Bus Burning, Ensuring Return According to Schedule

JAKARTA - The Jeddah KJRI moved quickly to respond to reports of a bus of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims being burned, ensuring the safety of all Indonesian citizens and their passports, and it is planned to return to the country according to schedule.

In a written statement received by VOI.id from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah, the Consulate received information about the Umrah bus from Sakinah Tour and Travel with Muassasah in Saudi Arabia, Muassasah Dalel Maalem fo Umrah Services with 24 passengers who suffered a disaster. The bus used belonged to PT Dalel Maalm with a driver of Egyptian nationality.

"The bus caught fire while on the way from Mecca to Medina, right after the last checkpoint (check point) to enter the city of Medina, about 50 km from Medina City," wrote the Indonesian Consul in Jeddah Ambassador Yusron B. Ambary in a written statement, Saturday (28/3).

"The incident began when the rear tire of the car broke and smoke billowed from the front outer cabin of the bus. The driver immediately parked the vehicle and asked all the Umrah pilgrims to get off after finding smoke billowing in the front outer cabin of the bus. Shortly after the pilgrims got off, the fire came out of the back of the vehicle and eventually burned the entire bus, including all the pilgrims' suitcases and belongings inside the bus," he continued.

It was explained that before the incident, which occurred about 20 minutes before arriving at the destination city, the pilgrims had twice warned of the smell of the clutch on the bus. However, the two drivers, who are Egyptian citizens, said the condition of the vehicle was safe.

Not long after, there was a sound of an explosion from the tire. The APAR available in the bus was unable to put out the burning fire.

"There were no casualties and injuries at the time of the incident, and all Umrah pilgrims were evacuated with a replacement bus belonging to the muassasah," said Ambassador Yusron, adding "all the pilgrims were then accommodated at the Manazel Al-Saadiq Hotel, Madinah with a replacement bus that arrived about 30 minutes later."

Further explained, the KJRI Jeddah then sent a team to meet the pilgrims. The team from the KJRI Jeddah Protection Task Force met the guide of the pilgrims (on behalf of Alawi Lubis) and three representatives of the pilgrims in Medina.

The details of the pilgrims consist of 13 men (9 adults and 5 children), as well as 11 women (6 adults and 5 children). It is said that the majority are from North Sumatra.

"The passports of all the pilgrims are safe and did not burn," the statement read.

Although no congregation suffered physical injuries. However, a number of children suffered minor trauma and for the time being did not want to return to using the bus.

"There is no indication that the driver was driving carelessly. The initial suspicion points to technical problems with the vehicle," the statement said.

"The congregation is still scheduled to return on March 31, 2026," said Ambassador Yusron, while ensuring that "the Indonesian Embassy will follow up on this case, including if there is compensation from the transportation company."