Indian Deaths in Gulf Rise: 6 Dead, 1 Missing
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reported a tragic increase in Indian deaths in Gulf countries as regional conflicts intensify, leaving families devastated and thousands of citizens fleeing the area. During an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi on October 19, 2026, Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R. Mahajan revealed that six Indian nationals have lost their lives, while one person remains missing due to the escalating instability.
The scale of the exodus is staggering; since February 28, more than 300,000 Indian citizens have departed from the Gulf region to escape the growing volatility.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s International Airport
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred on October 10 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. A Houthi missile strike targeted Terminal 3, resulting in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries, including 11 Indians.
Among the deceased was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, who was residing in Riyadh. The attack also left his family with life-altering injuries:
- Aman (18): His son, who required surgery on his knee.
- Wasi (16): His son, who suffered the loss of his toes.
- Sameera and Maryam: His wife and daughter, both of whom sustained minor injuries.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed his condolences, and the Indian embassy has worked to assist with funeral arrangements in Riyadh following India's formal condemnation of the attack.
Missing at Sea and Workplace Fatalities
The violence has also extended to maritime and industrial sectors. On October 11, a drone attack struck the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman. While nine of the 11 Indian crew members were successfully rescued, two remain missing:
- Amit Singh: Approximately 20-25 years old, from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav: Aged 25-26, from Deoria.
Search operations for the missing sailors are currently ongoing. In a separate incident on October 13, 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana died following a workplace accident in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, when a crane collapsed.
Diplomatic Pressure and Travel Disruptions
Addressing the United Nations Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, highlighted the vulnerability of the 10 million Indians living in GCC countries. He strongly condemned the ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure and shipping, specifically noting the targeting of vessels like the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri.
For those attempting to travel, the situation remains difficult. Commercial flights to Saudi Arabia operated by major carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, remain suspended until at least October 24.
The MEA is actively coordinating repatriation and search efforts through its missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE. Citizens are currently advised to seek alternative travel routes through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar to avoid the conflict zones.