Second Indian Dies in Riyadh Airport Attack; Total Toll Hits 14
A second Indian national has died following the Riyadh airport attack, bringing the total death toll from the October 10 strike to 14.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has confirmed the death of a second Indian national following the Riyadh airport attack, bringing the total number of fatalities from the October 10 strike to 14.
The victim passed away on November 4, 2026, after spending nearly a month in intensive care due to injuries sustained during the missile and drone strike on King Khalid International Airport. While the identity of the second victim is being withheld to protect the privacy of their family, the embassy has pledged full assistance, including options for repatriating remains to India or arranging local funeral services in Riyadh.
Tragedy of the First Victim
The first Indian fatality was identified as Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from the Mehdipatnam area of Hyderabad. Mr. Ali was traveling to Madinah for Umrah with his wife and three children when the projectile struck the airport at approximately 3 p.m. local time.
The attack also caused severe physical trauma to his children. His sons, Aman, 18, and Wasi, 16, sustained significant injuries, including the loss of toes and the necessity for knee surgery. Mr. Ali's funeral was held in Riyadh on October 12, attended by Indian Ambassador Vipul and embassy officials.
Breakdown of Fatalities
The October 10 attack, which was attributed to Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen, resulted in a total of 14 deaths. The breakdown of the deceased is as follows:
- Saudi Citizens: 4
- Indian Nationals: 2
- Bangladeshi Nationals: 2
- American: 1
- Egyptian: 1
- Jordanian: 1
- Syrian: 1
- Palestinian: 1
- Sudanese: 1
In addition to the fatalities, Saudi authorities initially recorded 309 injuries resulting from the incident.
Broader Regional Impact on Indian Expats
The attack comes amid heightened regional hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began in February 2026. The impact on the Indian community in West Asia has been significant:
- Approximately 22 to 24 Indian nationals have been killed in the region since February 2026, with 14 to 15 of those being seafarers.
- Over 300,000 Indians have repatriated from the region since late February due to ongoing instability.
Other recent incidents involving Indian nationals include the death of Kamlesh Pandey, an Indian driver from Gorakhpur, following a strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21. More recently, on November 2, Indian seafarer Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat died after an aerial object struck the MSV Al Jusufi near Oman.
Diplomatic Response
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal have condemned these attacks, calling for immediate de-escalation and the protection of both civilians and vital shipping lanes. Diplomatic missions across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain remain on high alert, providing 24/7 support to the Indian expatriate community during this period of volatility.