Hyderabad Techie Among 13 Killed in Riyadh Airport Missile Strike
A devastating Riyadh airport missile strike has claimed 13 lives and left more than 300 people injured, marking the deadliest attack in the kingdom in over a decade. The strike, carried out by Houthi forces on the evening of October 10, targeted King Khalid International Airport, leaving a trail of tragedy for many families, including a prominent Indian expat.
A Family Devastated
Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, was among those killed. Ali, who had lived in Riyadh for ten years, was waiting near a check-in kiosk with his family when the explosion occurred. The impact on his family has been catastrophic:
- Sameera (Wife): Sustained injuries in the blast.
- Aman (18): Currently requires knee surgery.
- Wasi (16): Suffered the traumatic loss of three toes.
- Maryam (11): Also sustained injuries.
Beyond Ali's family, eleven other Indian nationals were injured in the attack, with several remaining in intensive care or high dependency units.
Travel Disruptions and Airline Suspensions
The Riyadh airport missile strike has caused massive disruptions across the region. King Khalid International Airport remains closed, with significant flight disruptions reported in Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah. Major airlines have responded by suspending operations:
- Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo: Operations to and from Saudi Arabia are suspended until at least October 24.
- Akasa Air: Suspensions have been extended until October 27.
Passengers with bookings made on or before October 15 for travel between October 9 and 25 may be eligible for free date changes until November 10, alternative GCC departure options, or full refunds. Additionally, some overstay fines for stranded individuals are being waived.
Maritime Attacks and Regional Instability
The conflict has also spilled into maritime routes. On October 11, a drone strike hit the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman. Two Indian crew members, Amit Singh (20-25) from Kushinagar and Bir Bahadur Yadav (25-26) from Deoria, remain missing. Nine other Indian crew members were successfully rescued.
On the same day, the vessel MT Valthera was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, though all Indian crew members on board survived. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed a total of six Indian deaths and one missing person related to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Embassy Safety Advisories
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has issued urgent safety instructions for all citizens as of October 18-19. During aerial attacks, residents are advised to seek shelter in interior rooms away from windows and to avoid documenting ongoing events to prevent legal repercussions.
Emergency Contact Numbers:
- 911: Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.
- 998: All other regions.
- Embassy Helplines: 8002471234 or +966-11-488469.
At the UN Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish highlighted that the safety of approximately 10 million Indians in GCC countries is a core national interest, condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping. Amidst the regional tension, the Indian Navy's sail training ship, INS Sudarshini, recently hosted over 500 members of the Indian diaspora in Oman during the Lokayan-26 expedition.