A 53-year-old Indian driver from Bihar, identified as Mohammad Asif, was killed in a road accident in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the night of August 27, 2026.
- The incident occurred on Prince Turki Al Awwal Road when Asif was assisting in moving a broken-down vehicle onto a recovery van.
- A speeding car collided with the stationary vehicle from behind, resulting in Asif's death while his colleague, Yasser Arafat, escaped without injury.
- Asif's body is scheduled to be flown to India on September 2 after completing repatriation procedures.
Following the tragedy, Asif's family, his employer, and representatives from the Indian community in Riyadh initiated the necessary repatriation procedures. The legal and documentation processes, involving the Indian Embassy, the Riyadh Traffic Department, and the hospital, have been completed.
Asif's brother, Kashif Ahmed, assisted throughout the process alongside volunteers from the Riyadh KMCC Welfare Wing, who coordinated with local authorities.Under Saudi law, traffic accidents are classified as unnatural deaths, requiring comprehensive police and medical reports for repatriation. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh mandates a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for such cases, which requires documents including a medical report, a detailed police report, copies of the deceased's passport and Iqama, and a notarized Power of Attorney from legal heirs. Additionally, documentation regarding unpaid salary, end-of-service benefits, and GOSI details may be required. Legal responsibility for administrative procedures and the costs of burial or repatriation lies with the sponsor, unless covered by GOSI insurance. The Indian Embassy provides 24/7 assistance for such cases through its emergency number 8002471234 or 00-966-11-4884697, with the Community Welfare Wing coordinating with local authorities to expedite the release of remains.
