Six Indians Killed, One Missing Amid Gulf Conflict
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that six Indian nationals have been killed and one remains missing due to escalating conflict across the Gulf region. This tragic news comes as more than 300,000 individuals have departed the region since February 28, 2026.
Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are currently collaborating with local authorities to locate the missing person and facilitate the repatriation of the deceased.
Fatal Missile Strike at Riyadh Airport
On October 10, a Houthi missile strike targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, resulting in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. Among those killed was Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad.
The attack also heavily impacted his family:
- Aman (18) and Wasi (16): His sons, both of whom sustained severe injuries.
- Sameera: His wife, who suffered minor wounds.
- Maryam: His daughter, who also sustained minor injuries.
In addition to the Ali family, eleven other Indian citizens were wounded in the strike and are currently receiving medical treatment. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is providing ongoing support to the bereaved family, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has issued his condolences.
Drone Strike Hits Tanker off Oman Coast
The instability continued on October 11, when a drone strike hit the MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged tanker, at the Sohar Anchorage off the coast of Oman. The vessel was carrying 11 Indian crew members at the time of the attack.
While nine crew members were successfully rescued, two men remain missing:
- Amit Singh: Aged 20–25, from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav: Aged 25–26, from Deoria.
Both men were reportedly on their first sailing assignments. The Omani Coast Guard is conducting search operations in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Muscat.
Workplace Fatality in Jizan
In a separate incident on October 13, a 27-year-old Indian national, Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana, lost his life in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. His death was the result of a workplace accident involving a crane collapse.
Diplomatic Response and Travel Disruptions
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, has emphasized the critical need to ensure the safety of the nearly 10 million Indians residing in GCC countries. He condemned recent attacks on civilian infrastructure and shipping, specifically citing the incident involving the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri.
In response to the heightened tensions, major carriers including Air India and IndiGo have suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia until at least October 24. Passengers are currently being rerouted through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar.
Indian authorities have issued urgent advisories to citizens, urging extreme vigilance and strictly prohibiting the filming of conflict zones.