Indian Expats Face Rising Danger in Gulf Amid Strikes and Accidents
Indian expatriates living and working in the Gulf region are facing an increasingly volatile environment following a series of missile strikes, drone attacks, and fatal workplace accidents. The recent surge in regional instability has resulted in multiple casualties among the Indian community, prompting safety warnings and flight suspensions.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport
A devastating Houthi missile strike on Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 has left a trail of destruction. The attack resulted in 13 deaths and more than 300 injuries.
Among those killed was Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, who had lived in Saudi Arabia for a decade. The tragedy has deeply affected his family; his sons, 18-year-old Aman and 16-year-old Wasi, sustained severe injuries, while his wife, Sameera, and daughter, Maryam, suffered lighter wounds.
The Indian community also saw the repatriation of Mohammed Fazal Pasha from Telangana, who was treated in a Riyadh hospital for injuries sustained during the strike. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed it facilitated his return after closely monitoring his medical condition. In total, 11 Indian nationals were reported injured in the airport attack, with two remaining in intensive care through mid-to-late October.
Drone Strike Hits Tanker in Oman
The instability extended to Oman on October 11, when a drone strike targeted the MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged tanker, at the Sohar Anchorage. While nine of the 11 Indian crew members on board were successfully rescued, the incident has left two seafarers missing.
The missing crew members have been identified as:
- Amit Singh (aged 20-25) from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav (aged 25-26) from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the details, and the Indian Embassy in Muscat is currently coordinating with Omani authorities to locate the missing men.
Workplace Fatalities and Rising Casualties
In addition to the security-related incidents, workplace accidents continue to pose a threat. On October 13, 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana lost his life in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, after being struck by a pipe being moved by a crane.
Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed that approximately six Indian nationals have died and one remains missing across the region during this period. The scale of movement is significant, with more than 300,000 Indians having returned from the Gulf and West Asia since February 28.
Diplomatic Response and Travel Disruptions
The escalating situation has prompted immediate action from both Indian authorities and commercial carriers. Parvathaneni Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping, including the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri.
In response to the security concerns in Saudi Arabia, major airlines including Air India and IndiGo have suspended flights to various Saudi cities, with suspensions expected to last until at least October 24.
The Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia has urged all citizens to:
- Strictly follow all local safety advisories.
- Utilize the 24/7 emergency helplines provided by the Embassy.
- Remain vigilant regarding regional security developments.