Hyderabad IT Pro Killed in Riyadh Airport Missile Strike
A devastating Riyadh airport missile strike has claimed the life of a 46-year-old IT professional from Hyderabad, leaving his family injured and traumatised. Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a resident of Mehdipatnam who had been working in Riyadh for a decade, succumbed to his injuries following an attack at King Khalid International Airport on October 10, 2026.
A Family's Pilgrimage Turns into Tragedy
The tragedy struck at approximately 3 p.m. local time while Mr. Ali was accompanying his family for an Umrah pilgrimage. The family was waiting near a check-in kiosk when a projectile hit the terminal, causing a catastrophic ceiling collapse.
The victims included his wife, Sameera, his sons Aman (18) and Wasi (16), his daughter Maryam (11), and his aunt. While the wife and daughter sustained minor injuries, the rest of the family suffered significant physical trauma:
- Aman: Required surgery for a knee injury.
- Wasi: Suffered the loss of three toes.
- The Aunt: Sustained head injuries but remains in stable condition.
Indian Embassy officials have confirmed that three Indian nationals remain in intensive care following the chaos. The family has decided to hold the funeral services in Riyadh, with the Indian mission providing necessary support.
Regional Tensions and Rising Casualties
The attack on the airport is part of a broader escalation in the region. Saudi authorities and the coalition have attributed the strike to Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who also reportedly targeted Dammam. Mr. Ali becomes the 13th fatality in this specific attack, which has left over 300 people injured. The casualties include nationals from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed his deep grief over the incident and pledged full government support for the affected family. Additionally, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has been in communication with the family and the Indian Embassy to monitor the situation.
"The Indian government is committed to providing all necessary assistance to the families affected by these strikes on civilian infrastructure."
Escalating Threats to Indian Nationals
The violence in the region appears to be spreading. On October 11, a drone attack targeted the tanker MT Petro Dolphin off the coast of Oman. This incident has left two Indian seafarers, Bir Bahadur Yadav and Amit Singh, missing, although nine others were successfully rescued.
With approximately 2.75 million Indians residing in Saudi Arabia alone, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued a call for de-escalation. As airline services face disruptions and diplomatic missions scramble to provide medical and repatriation assistance, the safety of the vast Indian diaspora remains a primary concern.