Hyderabad, Nov 19: Around 50 family members of the pilgrims who died in the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia will leave from Hyderabad for the Gulf nation to attend the funerals, a senior Telangana official said on Tuesday.
The funeral is expected to take place on Thursday, he added.
A Telangana government team led by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin has already reached Saudi Arabia to coordinate relief efforts, including the funeral arrangements.
Officials said the bodies, which were burnt beyond recognition, have been preserved. DNA tests will be conducted for the family members travelling to Saudi Arabia to complete identification and finalise death certificates.
“Death certificates will be issued only if the DNA matches,” the official said.
He also mentioned that the Saudi government may provide compensation to the families of the deceased, in addition to assistance from the Telangana government and travel compensation.
DNA matching is essential to comply with legal procedures, he noted. The revenue department of the Telangana government will also issue necessary documents to the family members.
A mass funeral is likely to be held, the official added.
On Monday, the state government announced that two members from each affected family would be taken to Saudi Arabia.
The accident claimed the lives of 42 pilgrims, mostly from Telangana, according to initial reports. However, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar later stated that the death toll stands at 45.
The Telangana government has also decided to conduct the funerals as per religious customs in Saudi Arabia and provide an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.
