Six Indians Dead, One Missing in Gulf Conflict
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed several Indian deaths in the Gulf conflict, reporting that six nationals have lost their lives and one remains missing as tensions escalate in West Asia. Since the conflict began on February 28, the regional instability has forced more than 300,000 Indian expatriates to flee the area.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport
A devastating Houthi missile strike on Terminal 3 of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. Among the deceased was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, who had been residing in Saudi Arabia for ten years.
Mr. Ali was traveling with his family for Umrah when the strike occurred. His family members sustained severe injuries during the attack:
- Aman (18) and Wasi (16): His sons, with Aman requiring knee surgery and Wasi suffering the loss of his toes.
- Sameera and Maryam: His wife and 11-year-old daughter were also wounded.
- Extended Family: An aunt was also among those injured in the blast.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has offered condolences, while the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is providing essential support for medical care and funeral arrangements.
Maritime Attacks and Missing Crew Members in Oman
The insecurity has also extended to maritime routes. On October 11, a maritime drone attack targeted the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman. While nine of the 11 Indian crew members on board were successfully rescued, two remain missing:
- Amit Singh: An Indian national in his early 20s from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav: A man in his mid-20s from Deoria.
Both men were reportedly on their first sailing assignments. Omani authorities and the Indian Embassy in Muscat are currently conducting search operations to locate them.
Global Security Concerns and Workplace Accidents
Addressing the United Nations Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, raised alarms regarding the safety of the 10 million Indians living in GCC countries. He specifically highlighted the growing threat to shipping, including attacks on the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri.
In a separate incident on October 13, the regional instability was compounded by a workplace tragedy in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. Kashireddy Rakesh, a 27-year-old from Telangana, died when a pipe being moved by a crane collapsed on him.
Flight Suspensions and Travel Advice
Due to the volatile security situation, several major airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa, have suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam through at least October 24.
Guidance for Indian Citizens:
- Flight Rebooking: Passengers with existing bookings may rebook their flights for free until mid-November.
- Alternative Routes: The Indian government advises travellers to use Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar as transit points.
- Emergency Contact: Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and utilize embassy helplines.
Indian missions across Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are working in coordination to manage repatriation efforts for those affected by the ongoing crisis.