Indian Deaths Confirmed Amid Escalating Gulf Conflict
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed multiple Indian deaths and one missing person amid the escalating Gulf conflict in West Asia. This grim update comes as more than 300,000 Indian expatriates have reportedly fled the region since the onset of the conflict on February 28.
During an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi on October 19, 2026, Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R. Mahajan stated that Indian missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are currently coordinating with local authorities to locate the missing individual and repatriate the remains of the deceased.
Tragedy at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport
A major incident occurred on October 10 at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, where a Houthi missile strike on Terminal 3 resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. Among those killed was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad.
The attack also caused severe distress to his family:
- Aman (18) and Wasi (16): His sons, both of whom sustained severe injuries.
- Sameera and Maryam: His wife and daughter, who suffered minor wounds.
Saudi authorities reported that 11 Indians were injured in the airport strike, with several remaining in intensive care. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed his condolences, and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is providing assistance to the family.
Drone Attack in Oman Leaves Crew Missing
The instability has also impacted maritime operations. On October 11, a drone attack struck the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman. While nine Indian crew members were successfully rescued, two crew members were reported missing:
- Amit Singh (20-25): From Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav (25-26): From Deoria.
Industrial Accident and Rising Regional Risks
In a separate incident on October 13, 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana died following a crane pipe collapse in Jizan, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the UN Security Council, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, highlighted the significant risks faced by the 10 million Indians living in GCC countries. He cited ongoing attacks on infrastructure and vessels, specifically mentioning the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri.
Flight Suspensions and Safety Advisories
The escalating tensions have disrupted travel, with major carriers including Air India and IndiGo suspending all airline operations to Saudi Arabia until at least October 24.
The Indian government has advised its citizens in the region to remain highly vigilant and has specifically requested that they avoid filming any conflict zones.