Second Indian Expat Dies in Riyadh Airport Missile Attack
36-year-old Sheikh Saeed has died after three weeks in intensive care following the Riyadh airport missile attack on October 10.
The death of a 36-year-old Indian expat following the Riyadh airport missile attack has been confirmed after he succumbed to critical injuries sustained during the strike on October 10.
Sheikh Saeed, a resident of the Kamareddy district in Telangana, passed away after spending more than three weeks in an intensive care unit at a Riyadh hospital. Saeed, who resided in the Sailani Baba Colony (also known as Saini Baba Colony) in Kamareddy, had been working in Saudi Arabia for approximately 10 to 12 years. At the time of the attack, he was employed at a Starbucks outlet within King Khalid International Airport.
The Toll of the Strike
Saeed is the second Indian national to die as a result of the October 10 incident. The first fatality was 46-year-old Mohammed Yusuf Ali, an IT professional from Hyderabad, who died after a roof collapse during the strike while he was traveling for Umrah.
The total death toll from the attack has reached 14 people, comprising four Saudi citizens and 10 foreign nationals. The victims include individuals from Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. Hundreds of other people were injured during the strike.
Status of Other Indian Nationals
Regarding other affected Indian nationals, one individual from Kerala remains in stable condition in an intensive care unit, while another is undergoing treatment in a regular hospital ward. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is continuing to coordinate with Saudi authorities to provide necessary assistance to the affected families.
Funeral and Diplomatic Response
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed Saeed's passing on Wednesday, November 4. Ambassador Shri Vipul expressed his condolences, noting that the victim had fought for his life for over three weeks. Saeed is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, and two brothers, all of whom reside in Riyadh.
Due to current flight disruptions, the family has decided to proceed with his funeral and burial in Riyadh rather than repatriating his remains to India. The Indian mission has strongly condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure, describing the incident as one of the deadliest strikes on Saudi soil since the conflict escalated in February.
With approximately 2.5 million Indians residing in Saudi Arabia, Indian missions are maintaining helplines to support the community amidst these ongoing security concerns.