4 Indian Nurses, Saudi Driver Killed in Tragic Saudi Crash
A devastating road accident on the Taif–Rania highway in Saudi Arabia's Makkah province has claimed the lives of four Indian nurses and their Saudi Arabian driver. The fatal collision occurred on Friday afternoon, 2 October 2026, leaving the community in shock.
Details of the Collision
The accident took place at approximately 4:45 pm Saudi time, roughly 40 kilometres from Rania. While initial reports suggested that the vehicle lost control and overturned, a colleague familiar with the incident indicated that a second vehicle may have veered off the road and collided with the car carrying the nurses.
Local authorities have not yet released an official reconstruction of the crash to determine the exact cause of the collision.
The Victims
The four nurses were dedicated healthcare professionals employed by the Ministry of Health, serving at clinics in the Al Ghafa and Al Owaylah areas of the Taif Governorate. At the time of the accident, they were reportedly on their regular monthly shopping trip.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Jaisymol Mathew, 46, from Ayarkunnam, Kottayam, Kerala
- Jobina Johnny, 27, from Kurumalloor, Kottayam, Kerala
- Vijayalakshmi Jagadeesh, 37, from Anna Satya Nagar, Tamil Nadu
- Hepsiba Devamani, 33, from Pattukottai, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
The Saudi national who was driving the vehicle has not been publicly named.
Heartbreaking Final Moments
In a deeply moving detail, it was reported that 27-year-old Jobina Johnny had spoken to her parents in Kottayam just ten minutes before the accident occurred, informing them that she was departing for her hostel.
All five occupants of the vehicle died at the scene. Their bodies are currently being held at the Ranyah General Hospital mortuary. Indian diplomatic missions are currently working alongside local authorities to facilitate the necessary legal formalities and the eventual repatriation of the remains to India.