Indian Expats Hit by Escalating Missile Attacks in Gulf
The nearly 10 million Indian expatriates living across the Gulf region are facing a period of unprecedented instability and danger as a surge in missile and drone attacks strikes Saudi Arabia and Oman. The escalating conflict has already resulted in tragic loss of life, missing sailors, and massive disruptions to international air travel.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport
A devastating projectile strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 has left a family in mourning and many others injured. Among the victims was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a seasoned IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, who had spent a decade working in Saudi Arabia.
Ali was traveling with his wife, Sameera, their children Aman Ali (18), Wasi Ali (16), and Maryam (11), along with an aunt, for an Umrah pilgrimage to Medina. The attack caused widespread devastation:
- Aman Ali required urgent knee surgery.
- Wasi Ali suffered the traumatic loss of three toes.
- The family's aunt sustained serious head injuries.
- The wife and daughter were treated for minor injuries.
Saudi authorities confirmed that the attack resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries, with at least 11 Indian nationals among the casualties. As of mid-October, two Indian citizens remain in intensive care. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is currently working to support the survivors and assist with the repatriation of the deceased.
Maritime Attacks and Missing Sailors
The instability has also extended to the sea, threatening commercial shipping lanes and the lives of Indian crew members. On October 11, a drone strike targeted the MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged tanker, at the Sohar Anchorage off the coast of Oman.
While nine of the 11 Indian crew members on board were successfully rescued, two sailors remain missing:
- Amit Singh (aged 20-25) from Gopala village, Kushinagar.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav (aged 25-26) from Deoria.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has confirmed that Omani authorities and the Indian Embassy in Muscat are continuing intensive search-and-rescue operations. Further maritime threats were noted in the Strait of Hormuz, where the MT Valthera was hit, though all Indian crew members on that vessel survived. Additionally, the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri has been identified as a potential target in the ongoing volatility.
Travel Chaos and Flight Disruptions
The conflict has sent shockwaves through the aviation sector, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Major airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, have been forced to suspend or cancel flights to key destinations such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah. These disruptions are expected to last through at least October 24.
To assist affected passengers, airlines are offering several relief measures, including:
- Free flight date changes.
- Full refunds for cancelled routes.
- Rerouting options to alternative destinations.
In a move to ease the burden on stranded travelers, some authorities have also announced the waiving of overstay fines for those unable to leave the region due to the flight cancellations.
Diplomatic Response and Safety Warnings
The safety of the massive Indian diaspora has become a top priority for the Indian government. Addressing the UN Security Council on October 16, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, emphasized that the security of 10 million Indians in the GCC is a "core national interest." He strongly condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial vessels.
In response to the maritime risks, the Indian government has referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal for a Seafarers Emergency Support Network to protect workers at sea.
Local officials are urging caution. Ambassador Vipul in Riyadh has advised all Indian citizens to:
- Remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
- Stay indoors immediately when security alerts are issued.
- Utilize the 24/7 emergency helplines provided by the Embassy.
Amidst the tension, the Indian Navy’s sail training ship, INS Sudarshini, provided a moment of community connection by hosting over 500 members of the Indian diaspora in Salalah, Oman, between October 16 and 17.