Medina bus crash victims’ kin receive ex gratia

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Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin on Wednesday distributed pending ex gratia cheques to the families of two victims who lost their lives in the Medina bus accident in Saudi Arabia, and underscored that no amount of financial assistance could truly compensate the loss of a family member.

The Minister handed over compensation cheques of ₹5 lakh each to the families of late Mohammed Jaffar and late Shaik Siraj. Soon after the tragic incident in which dozens were killed after a bus they were travelling crashed near Medina in late last year, the Telangana government had announced the financial assistance.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Azharuddin expressed grief over the loss of lives and said no amount of financial assistance could compensate for the loss suffered by the families. He said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had responded swiftly after the accident and ensured that all possible assistance was extended to those affected.

Mr. Azharuddin recalled that a delegation comprising himself, MLA Majid Hussain, Secretary, Minorities Welfare B. Shafiullah, and other representatives had travelled to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the accident to coordinate relief measures and support the bereaved families.

He said the State government had facilitated the travel of family members to Saudi Arabia and worked closely with the Indian Consulate and Saudi authorities to ensure that burial formalities and other arrangements were completed smoothly.

Family members of the victims thanked the Chief Minister, the Minorities Welfare Minister, Mr. Hussain and the Telangana government for their assistance during the burial process and for the support extended to them following the accident.