Second Indian Expat Dies in Riyadh Airport Missile Attack
Shaikh Sayeed, an Indian expat, has died after sustaining injuries in the Houthi missile attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
The death toll of Indian nationals following the Houthi missile strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has risen, with a second expatriate succumbing to critical injuries.
Shaikh Sayeed, an Indian expatriate originally from the Nizamabad or Kamareddy district of Telangana, passed away between November 3 and November 4. Sayeed had been battling for his life in the intensive care unit of a Riyadh hospital for more than three weeks after the October 10 attack.
A Long-Term Resident and Family Man
Sayeed was a familiar face at the airport, having worked at a Starbucks outlet within the terminal for over a decade. His passing has left a significant void for his family, which includes his wife and three children. His two brothers, who are also employed in Riyadh, were present at his side during his hospitalization.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the news, noting that Sayeed had fought bravely against his injuries. The Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Shri Vipul, expressed his deepest condolences and stated that the embassy is working to assist the family with funeral arrangements in Riyadh as per their request.
The First Fatality: Mohammed Yusuf Ali
Sayeed is the second Indian national to die as a result of the October 10 missile strike. The first victim was Mohammed Yusuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. Yusuf Ali passed away on October 12 while traveling for Umrah with his family.
The attack had a devastating impact on his family as well:
- Aman (18) and Wasi (16): His sons, who sustained severe injuries.
- Wife and Daughter: Both suffered minor injuries during the incident.
Casualties and Current Hospitalizations
The missile strike on the airport was part of a larger tragedy that resulted in 14 total deaths, including four Saudi nationals and ten foreign nationals, with more than 300 people injured.
Regarding other Indian nationals, the situation remains critical for some:
- One Indian national from Kerala is currently in the intensive care unit in stable condition.
- Another Indian national is receiving medical care in a general ward.
Broader Regional Conflict and Rising Toll
The incident is part of an escalating regional conflict that began in 2026, characterized by continued attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces on civilian infrastructure. The violence has extended beyond airports to maritime routes.
On November 2, a 25-year-old Gujarati sailor, Gandhar Nahim Ajij, from Salaya, Devbhumi Dwarka, was killed when an aerial object struck the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Al Jusufi near Limah, Oman. While thirteen other crew members were successfully rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, the loss of life highlights the growing danger in the region.
According to updates from the Ministry of External Affairs, the total number of Indian fatalities linked to the ongoing conflict has reached between 20 and 24, including approximately 15 Indian seafarers killed since February.