Eight Telangana Men Missing in Gulf as Families Beg for Urgent Help
At least eight men from Telangana have gone missing while working in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, leaving their families in distress. As of 18 September 2026, families of the missing workers have reached out to Pravasi Prajavani, the Telangana government's window for Gulf worker grievances, seeking assistance after communication with the men ceased.
- Eight men from Telangana are missing in UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
- Families reached out to Pravasi Prajavani for urgent assistance after losing contact.
- Indian missions in Muscat, Dubai, and Riyadh have not issued public status reports yet.
Missing Workers Details
Among the missing is 24-year-old Mohammed Sileman from Cheguntla, Medak, who departed for Oman on 16 June on a tourist visa for cleaning work. He last spoke to his wife, Saida, on the day of his arrival, stating he was heading to a beach.
Alleswarapu Ramesh, from Jagtial, has been missing in the UAE since 16 June. Although Pravasi Prajavani liaison officer Bhargavi N reported that the embassy sent communication indicating Ramesh was being repatriated, his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Malut Kotaiah of Kamareddy has not been heard from since 30 June after moving to Saudi Arabia for an HR firm position. Additionally, Bhukya Srikanth of Mallapur, Jagtial, who had been working in Dubai near the LuLu Hypermarket in Baniyas for approximately two years, last contacted his mother, Sunitha, on 7 June; his father, currently in Dubai, has been unable to receive clear information regarding his status.
Migration Background and Regional Instability
These disappearances occur within a broader landscape of migration concerns, where workers often travel on tourist visas sold as employment opportunities. Data cited in Parliament indicates that nearly 50,000 workers from Telangana have migrated to the Gulf over a five-year period, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia serving as primary destinations. Official MEA figures report approximately 43 lakh Indians in the UAE and 27.5 lakh in Saudi Arabia, with additional significant populations in Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Furthermore, regional instability persists in the areas where many of these migrants reside. In mid-September, the Saudi-led coalition reported that Houthi missiles and drones struck civilian areas in Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, resulting in 13 injuries and significant property damage. A subsequent intercept over Taif resulted in the death of one Yemeni resident and critical injuries to one Pakistani resident, according to Saudi Civil Defense. As of the latest update, Indian missions in Muscat, Dubai, and Riyadh have not issued public, country-wise status reports on the eight missing individuals, and no formal confirmation exists regarding their presence in immigration detention, hospitals, or private employment.