Six Indian Nationals Dead in Gulf Attacks; One Missing
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that several Indian nationals dead in the Gulf are the result of escalating regional conflict, with one person still missing. The surge in instability has already seen more than 300,000 Indians depart the region since February 28.
Tragedy at Riyadh Airport
On October 10, a Houthi missile strike targeted Terminal 3 of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, causing massive casualties. The strike resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. Among the deceased was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, who was traveling with his family for Umrah.
The incident left his family members injured, including his wife Sameera, his daughter Maryam, and his aunt Atiya Sultana. His two sons, Aman (18) and Wasi (16), also sustained injuries, with Wasi requiring intensive care at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital. Saudi authorities reported that a total of 11 Indians were injured during the airport strike.
Missing Seafarers in Oman
The regional violence extended to maritime routes on October 11, when a drone strike hit 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 seafarers from Uttar Pradesh remain missing:
- Amit Singh (aged 20-25) from Kushinagar
- Bir Bahadur Yadav (aged 25-26) from Deoria
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that rescue operations are underway, with the Indian Embassy in Muscat coordinating the search for the missing men. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has since called for increased protection for mariners operating in these waters.
Industrial Fatality in Jizan
In a separate incident on October 13, a 27-year-old Indian national, Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana, died in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. His death was caused by an industrial accident when a pipe operated by a crane collapsed on him.
Diplomatic Response and Travel Disruptions
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the Security Council, stating that the safety of the nearly 10 million Indians living in GCC countries is a national priority. He condemned the attacks on civilian targets and vessels, specifically highlighting the strikes on the MV DP World Kaveri and the MT Petro Dolphin.
Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R. Mahajan confirmed that Indian missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are actively working with local authorities regarding search efforts and the repatriation of those affected.
Due to the heightened security risks, flight operations to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam by Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa have been suspended until October 24. Travelers are advised of the following:
- Passengers may rebook their flights without fees until November 10.
- The Indian Ambassador recommends using alternative travel routes through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar.
- Travelers should utilize embassy helplines for any urgent assistance.