Indian Casualties and Missing Seafarers Amid Gulf Conflict
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that Indian nationals have been injured and seafarers have gone missing following a series of escalating attacks in the Gulf region. The security situation has intensified due to recent drone and missile strikes attributed to Houthi rebels.
Casualties in Saudi Arabia
A drone attack targeting the Saudi Aramco Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21, 2026, resulted in injuries to an Indian national. The Saudi Energy Ministry confirmed that the same incident caused the deaths of one Nepali and one Filipino citizen, while a Pakistani national was also injured.
The violence has also hit major infrastructure. Following a Houthi missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10, 2026, Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an Indian national from Hyderabad, succumbed to his injuries on October 11.
As of October 12, 2026, the medical situation remains critical:
- Three Indian nationals are currently in intensive care.
- Two additional citizens are receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the airport attack.
Missing Seafarers in Oman
The maritime sector has also faced direct hits. On October 11, 2026, a drone strike targeted the MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reported that while nine Indian crew members were successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian seafarers remain missing. Local Coast Guard teams are currently conducting active search and rescue operations in the area.
Safety Advisory and Travel Disruptions
In light of the volatile security environment, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued a formal safety advisory on October 20, 2026. The advisory is directed at the approximately 2.65 million Indian nationals living in Saudi Arabia.
The mission has urged citizens to:
- Exercise extreme caution in all activities.
- Consider alternative travel routes through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar, provided they comply with local visa regulations.
Major Flight Suspensions
The conflict has also paralyzed commercial aviation. Major Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, have extended the suspension of flights to and from key Saudi Arabian cities.
Affected destinations include:
- Jeddah
- Riyadh
- Dammam
- Madinah
These flight suspensions are expected to remain in place until at least October 24, 2026.