Second Indian Dies After Riyadh Airport Missile Strike
Shaikh Sayeed, an Indian expat, has died following a Houthi missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
The death toll of Indian nationals following the Houthi missile strike on King Khalid International Airport has risen to two.
Shaikh Sayeed, a 36-year-old expatriate from Kamareddy, Telangana, passed away on November 3, 2026, after battling injuries sustained during the October 10 attack. Sayeed had been living and working in Saudi Arabia for nearly 12 years, most recently serving at a Starbucks outlet within the airport complex.
Tragic End for Long-term Expat
Sayeed underwent intensive care at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital for more than three weeks before succumbing to his wounds. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the news on November 4.
A resident of Saini Baba Colony, Sayeed leaves behind a mother, wife, and children in Telangana. While two of his brothers remain employed in Riyadh, the family has decided to bury him in Saudi Arabia.
Indian Ambassador Vipul expressed condolences, noting that embassy staff remained in constant communication with both the family and Saudi authorities throughout the intensive treatment period.
Impact of the Riyadh Airport Attack
The missile strike, which has been attributed to Iran-backed Houthi rebels, targeted the complex housing Terminals 3 and 4. According to Saudi reports, the strike resulted in:
- 14 total fatalities
- 309 injuries
Sayeed is the second Indian national to die as a result of this specific October 10 attack. The first victim was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Hyderabad, whose family members were also injured during the strike.
Rising Toll in Regional Conflict
The tragedy at the airport is part of a broader regional conflict that began in February, which has claimed 24 Indian lives to date, including 15 seafarers.
In a separate maritime incident on November 2, a Gujarati seafarer, Gandhar Nahim Ajij, was killed when an aerial object struck the Indian-flagged cargo vessel MSV Al Jusufi off the coast of Limah, Oman. The vessel was transporting dates from the UAE's Hamriyah Port to Porbandar. While the Omani Coast Guard successfully rescued the remaining 13 crew members, the incident highlights the increasing volatility of the region.
Airlines and Government Response
As hostilities persist, the impact on travel and commercial security is becoming increasingly evident:
- Flight Suspensions: Indian airlines have extended the suspension of flights to various Saudi cities.
- Government Demands: The Indian government has issued calls for the protection of civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping lanes.