At least 42 pilgrims from Telangana state in India were killed in a major road traffic accident in Saudi Arabia, India Today reports.

The accident occurred early Monday morning, when a passenger bus traveling from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker.

Preliminary data indicate that the impact was so strong that many passengers died on the spot, while several others sustained serious injuries.

Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene, carrying out rescue operations and providing medical assistance to the injured.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. He noted that Indian diplomats in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are doing everything possible to assist the injured and the relatives of the deceased.