Indian Expats Hit by Gulf Missile Strikes; Sailors Missing
A wave of escalating drone and missile strikes across the Gulf has resulted in a series of tragedies for the Indian expatriate community, leaving families devastated, sailors missing at sea, and thousands of citizens returning home.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport
On October 10, a missile strike claimed by Houthi forces at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport turned a pilgrimage into a nightmare for an Indian family. Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Hyderabad, was killed by projectile debris during the attack.
Mr. Ali was traveling with his wife, Sameera, his children, Aman (18), Wasi (16), and Maryam (11), and his aunt, Atiya Sultana, for an Umrah pilgrimage. The impact was catastrophic for his children; his son Aman required knee surgery, while Wasi suffered the loss of digits due to his injuries.
Saudi authorities have reported a total of 13 deaths and over 300 injuries resulting from the strike, with 11 Indian nationals among the casualties. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is currently working to manage medical needs and funeral arrangements.
Missing Sailors Off the Oman Coast
The instability has also extended to maritime routes. On October 11, a drone strike targeted the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage off the coast of Oman.
While nine of the 11 Indian crew members were successfully rescued, two sailors remain missing:
- Amit Singh, an able seaman from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav, a wiper from Deoria.
The Omani Coast Guard is currently conducting search-and-rescue operations, with coordination from the Indian Embassy in Muscat. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has condemned these attacks on commercial vessels.
Casualties and Regional Disruptions
The violence continues to impact workers across the region. On October 13, Kashireddy Rakesh, a 27-year-old from Telangana, died following a workplace accident in Jizan. Additionally, minor injuries were reported in southern Dubai due to interception debris.
Aviation and Travel Alerts
The conflict has severely disrupted air travel between India and the Gulf. Major airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, have suspended services to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until at least October 24.
Travelers are advised to consider alternative routes through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar. Airlines are currently offering free date-change policies for those affected by the suspensions.
Mass Exodus of Indian Nationals
The heightened tension has prompted a significant shift in the expatriate population. According to Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan, approximately 130,000 Indian nationals have returned to India since the escalation of the conflict began around February 28.
India continues to advocate for maritime safety and de-escalation at the UN Security Council. Indian embassies throughout the region have established 24/7 helplines to provide immediate assistance to citizens in distress.