Indian Expats Killed and Missing in Recent Gulf Attacks
The recent escalation of conflicts across the Gulf has taken a heavy toll on the Indian diaspora, with several nationals reported killed or missing following missile strikes and drone attacks.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport
On October 10, a Houthi missile or its debris struck the terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, leading to a chaotic and deadly scene. Among the victims was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Hyderabad, who was traveling for Umrah with his family.
While Ali lost his life, his family suffered significant injuries:
- Sameera (wife) and Maryam (11-year-old daughter): Sustained minor injuries.
- Aman (18) and Wasi (16): Suffered severe wounds, including the loss of toes and knee injuries requiring surgery at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital.
- Atiya Sultana (aunt): Underwent surgery for head injuries.
Saudi authorities reported a total of 12 to 13 deaths and over 300 injuries in the airport attack, with 11 Indians among the casualties. In response to the instability, major Indian carriers including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa have suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until October 24.
Missing Sailors in Oman Maritime Strike
The maritime sector has also faced direct targeting. On October 11, a drone struck the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage off the coast of Oman.
While nine of the 11 Indian crew members were successfully rescued, two sailors from Uttar Pradesh remain missing:
- Amit Singh from Gopala village, Kushinagar.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav from Badka village, Deoria.
The families of the missing men have raised serious concerns, alleging that the vessel's captain failed to conduct a thorough search and claiming that unpaid wages are still owed to the crew. The Omani Coast Guard is currently leading search-and-rescue operations with support from the Indian Embassy in Muscat.
Broader Security Concerns and Diplomatic Action
The instability extends to the Strait of Hormuz, where the tanker MT Valthera was recently hit, though all Indian crew members survived. Additionally, the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri has been a previous target in these maritime skirmishes.
Beyond conflict-related incidents, a workplace accident in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, on October 13 resulted in the death of 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana following a crane-related pipe collapse.
Addressing the gravity of the situation, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, has raised the issue of the safety of nearly 10 million Indians living in GCC countries before the Security Council. According to MEA Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R. Mahajan, six Indians have died and one remains missing in various Gulf incidents since late February.