Indian IT worker killed in Riyadh strike; sailors missing in Oman
A series of violent attacks across the Gulf region has claimed the life of an Indian IT professional and left two Indian seafarers missing following drone and projectile strikes on civilian and commercial targets.
Tragedy at Riyadh International Airport
A devastating strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has killed Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT engineer from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. The projectile, attributed to Iran-backed Houthi rebels, struck the terminal on October 10, 2026, causing terminal infrastructure to collapse.
Ali, who had been working in Riyadh for a decade, was traveling with his wife, Sameera, their three children, and an aunt for an Umrah pilgrimage. He succumbed to critical injuries in a hospital the following day.
The attack also caused severe injuries to his family members:
- Aman (18) and Wasi (16): His sons sustained significant injuries, including the need for knee surgery and the loss of three toes.
- Maryam (11): His daughter was injured during the collapse.
- Sameera and an aunt: Both sustained injuries during the incident.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh reported that Ali is the only Indian fatality in the strike, though 11 other Indians were among more than 300 total casualties. Saudi authorities stated the total death toll from the strike was 13, involving nationals from Saudi Arabia, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Sudan, and Bangladesh.
Maritime Attacks and Missing Seafarers
The violence extended to the sea on October 11, 2026, when the Nicaragua-flagged product tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone at the Sohar Anchorage off the coast of Oman.
The vessel was carrying 11 Indian seafarers. While nine crew members were successfully rescued, two men remain missing:
- Bir Bahadur Yadav
- Amit Singh
The Omani Coast Guard is currently conducting search-and-rescue operations, and the Indian Embassy in Muscat is coordinating with local authorities. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has identified the missing men and called for urgent support and improved safety measures for sailors.
Strait of Hormuz Incident
On the same day, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. The impact triggered a fire on board, though all 11 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were reported safe.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping, calling for de-escalation and the restoration of free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
These incidents are part of a broader regional escalation following U.S.-Israeli actions against Iran in late February 2026. Indian diplomatic missions continue to assist affected families and coordinate search efforts as tensions persist across the region.