Second Indian Dies After Riyadh Airport Missile Strike
A second Indian national has died from injuries sustained during the Houthi missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The death toll of Indian nationals affected by the regional instability in West Asia has risen following the tragic passing of a second victim linked to the Houthi missile attack on King Khalid International Airport.
Sheikh Saeed, a 36-year-old Starbucks employee from Kamareddy, Telangana, succumbed to critical injuries in a Riyadh hospital on November 4. Saeed had been battling for his life in the intensive care unit for over three weeks following the missile strike that occurred on October 10.
A Family in Mourning
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the news and expressed deep condolences to the family. Saeed leaves behind a wife and three children in Telangana, as well as two brothers who are currently employed in Saudi Arabia. As the family has requested that he be buried in Riyadh, the embassy is providing necessary assistance to facilitate the legal and funeral procedures.
The First Victim and the Airport Attack
Saeed is the second Indian national to die as a direct result of the October 10 attack. The first casualty was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Hyderabad, who died at the scene while traveling with his family for Umrah. The Houthi-claimed strike, which targeted the airport, resulted in a total of 14 fatalities.
Rising Maritime and Regional Casualties
The security threats extending beyond airport strikes have also impacted maritime routes. On November 2, Indian seafarer Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat was killed when an unidentified aerial object struck the India-flagged vessel MSV Al Jusufi near Limah, off the coast of Oman. While the Omani Coast Guard successfully rescued 13 other Indian crew members, the incident highlights the increasing danger in the region.
The Growing Toll on Indian Expats
The Ministry of External Affairs has noted the significant impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict on the Indian diaspora. According to spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the conflict has claimed 23 Indian lives since February, a figure that includes 15 seafarers and other casualties related to shipping attacks in the Black Sea.
The persistent security threats and flight disruptions have led to a significant exodus, with approximately 300,000 Indian expatriates returning to India since late February. Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and other neighboring nations remain actively engaged in coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety of citizens and facilitate the repatriation of remains when necessary.