Hyderabad Techie Killed in Riyadh Strike; Indian Sailors Missing
The news of a Hyderabad techie killed in a Riyadh strike and two Indian sailors missing following a drone attack in Oman has sent shockwaves through the regional expat community. These violent incidents highlight the escalating instability currently affecting maritime and aviation safety in the Gulf.
Tragedy at King Khalid International Airport
Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT engineer from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, was killed during a Houthi projectile strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10. Ali, who had been working in Riyadh for a decade, was traveling with his family for an Umrah pilgrimage when the strike caused the terminal roof to collapse.
The impact of the attack was devastating. Ali suffered catastrophic injuries, including the amputation of both legs during emergency surgery, before ultimately succumbing to a heart attack. His family members also sustained significant injuries during the chaos:
- His 18-year-old son, Amaan, remains in the ICU at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital following knee surgery.
- His 16-year-old son, Wasey, suffered the loss of several toes.
- His wife, Sameera, and 11-year-old daughter, Maryam, sustained minor injuries.
- His aunt, Atiya Sultana, underwent head surgery and is reported to be stable.
The strike at the airport resulted in 13 deaths and wounded over 300 people, with victims including nationals from Saudi Arabia, the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Sudan, and Bangladesh. The airport is expected to remain closed until October 17.
Indian Sailors Missing After Drone Attack in Oman
In a separate maritime incident on October 11, the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone at the Sohar Anchorage off the coast of Oman. Two Indian seafarers, Bir Bahadur Yadav from Deoria and 25-year-old Amit Singh from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, remain missing.
While nine of the 11 Indian crew members were successfully rescued, search and rescue operations are ongoing. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident, noting that the Omani Coast Guard and the Indian Embassy in Muscat are leading the efforts to locate the missing men. It was reported that Amit Singh, a first-time sailor, had spoken to his mother shortly before the incident occurred.
A second vessel, the MT Valthera, was also hit by a projectile during the same period, though all 11 Indian crew members on board were confirmed safe.
Rising Regional Instability
These incidents occur amidst ongoing regional conflicts that have significantly impacted the lives of the Indian diaspora. With over 300,000 Indians displaced by regional tensions, Indian missions across the Gulf are increasingly required to provide frequent consular intervention to manage the safety and security of its citizens.