On Saturday, a missile targeted Terminals 3 and 4 at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Following the attack, the airport was evacuated, and flight operations were temporarily suspended. According to the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority, 12 people were killed and 309 injured in the attack. This marks one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years.
Another attack occurred at the airport on Sunday, when a projectile struck Terminal 4, causing a fire. The Saudi-led coalition stated that it had intercepted a cruise missile.
The suffering of Indian victims
The Indian Embassy has confirmed that 11 Indians were injured in the attack. On Sunday, the Embassy reported that one of these Indian nationals passed away while undergoing treatment.
The deceased has been identified as Mohammed Yusuf, a resident of Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. A 46-year-old IT professional, he was traveling to Medina with his family for Umrah. He was near a check-in kiosk when debris fell on him during the attack. His wife and two children were also injured and remain in critical condition.
According to the latest update from the Embassy:
3 injured Indians are in the ICU but are stable
2 others have been admitted to the general ward
The remaining injured individuals have been discharged
What did the Government of India say?
The Government of India strongly condemned the attack, stating that such terrorist attacks must cease and that civilians should not be targeted in this manner; an Indian national lost their life in this attack. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of an Indian national in the Riyadh attack. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Embassy will provide all possible assistance.” The Government of India stated that arrangements are being made to bring the mortal remains back to India as soon as possible. Advisory for Indians
The Indian Embassy has issued an advisory for all Indian citizens residing in Saudi Arabia:
“In view of the current situation, all Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia are advised to remain vigilant, stay indoors as necessary, and follow the instructions of local authorities.”
The Embassy has urged Indian citizens not to share any rumors or videos.
24-hour Helpline: Indian expatriates can contact the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) on the toll-free number 8002471234.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that his forces carried out four major military operations over the past 24 hours using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. He said this was in retaliation for 124 airstrikes launched by Saudi Arabia in the last day.
The Houthis have warned that all airports and airspace in Saudi Arabia—with the exception of those in Mecca and Medina—could be targets for attacks. They have urged airlines and passengers to avoid using them.
Impact on air traffic
Major flights were cancelled following the attack. Several airlines, including Air India, flydubai, the Lufthansa Group, and Pakistan International Airlines, have temporarily suspended flights to Saudi Arabia. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has upgraded its warning regarding Saudi airspace.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All information is based on public reports.
