Indian IT Engineer Killed, Family Maimed in Riyadh Airport Strike
A devastating Houthi missile strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has claimed the life of a Hyderabad-based IT engineer and left his children with life-altering injuries.
The victim, Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old resident of Mehdipatnam, was at the terminal with his family on October 10 when the projectile struck at approximately 3 p.m. local time. The family was en route to Madinah for a pilgrimage when the sudden attack turned their journey into a nightmare.
Catastrophic Injuries to Family Members
The missile strike did more than just claim Ali's life; it left his family members fighting for their physical well-being:
- Amaan (18): Suffered severe injuries requiring surgery on both kneecaps.
- Wasey (16): Sustained significant leg trauma, including reports of toe amputations.
- Maryam (11): Required surgery to remove glass fragments from her body.
- Sameera and Atiya Sultana: Ali's wife and aunt were also injured in the blast.
The attack resulted in a total of 13 deaths and left over 300 people injured, including 11 Indian nationals. Ali's funeral was held in Riyadh on October 12, attended by Indian Ambassador Vipul.
India Raises Security Concerns at the UN
In the wake of the tragedy, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the UN Security Council. He emphasized that the safety of the nearly 10 million Indians living in GCC nations is a core national interest.
Ambassador Harish condemned the attack and highlighted the growing threats to commercial shipping in the region. He specifically noted recent incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels, including:
- MV DP World Kaveri
- MT Petro Dolphin
- MT Valthera
Furthermore, the Ambassador noted that two Indian seafarers, Amit Singh and Bir Bahadur Yadav, remain missing following attacks near Oman. He called for immediate international de-escalation to protect merchant mariners.
Travel Disruptions and Relief Measures
The strike has caused significant disruption to regional travel. Flight operations at Riyadh airport have been suspended, with major carriers such as Air India and IndiGo halting services until at least October 17.
To assist those caught in the chaos, Saudi authorities have announced that they will waive overstay fines for travelers stranded on Umrah or visit visas due to the incident. Additionally, a 24-hour helpline has been activated to assist affected citizens.
Ambassador Vipul has also issued security advisories, urging all Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to local laws.