Indian National Killed in Houthi Attack on Dammam Airport
An Indian national was killed and two others injured following a Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
An Indian national has been killed and two others injured following a Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, late Wednesday night.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the casualties on Thursday. While the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) initially reported one fatality and eight injuries following the Wednesday evening assault, the death toll has since risen. The two confirmed fatalities include the Indian resident and a Saudi citizen, with injuries reported to range from minor to critical.
Airport Operations and Emergency Response
Affected individuals were immediately transported to local hospitals for medical attention. Despite the violence, air traffic at the Dammam airport has since resumed. The Indian Embassy has stated that it is working to ascertain further details regarding the victims and is in the process of notifying their families.
A Surge in Regional Attacks
This incident is part of a worrying trend of strikes targeting civilian and energy infrastructure. It follows a major attack on October 10 at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, where a Houthi missile struck Terminal 3. That specific attack resulted in 13 deaths, including Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Hyderabad.
The impact on the Yousuf Ali family was devastating:
- Aman (18) and Wasi (16): His sons, who sustained severe injuries.
- Sameera and Maryam: His wife and daughter, who suffered minor wounds.
In total, over 300 people were injured during the Riyadh terminal strike.
Impact on Indian Expats and Travel
The escalating conflict has caused significant disruption for the Indian diaspora and international travel. Several major airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until late October.
The scale of the regional instability is reflected in the massive movement of people. Since the conflict escalated in February, more than 300,000 Indians have been evacuated from the region. Other recent casualties involving Indian nationals include:
- Kashireddy Rakesh: A resident of Telangana who died in a crane collapse in Jizan.
- Aramco oilfield incident: Drone debris at the Shaybah oilfield previously killed a Filipino and a Nepali worker, while injuring one Indian and one Pakistani national.
Indian diplomatic missions are currently coordinating medical aid, family support, and repatriation efforts for those affected. Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to claim responsibility for ongoing strikes against energy sites and civilian infrastructure.