Riyadh Airport Attack Toll Reaches 13 as Indian National Dies; India-Bound Flights Partially Resume
The death toll from the Houthi missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh rose to 13 after an Indian national succumbed to injuries the day following the October 10 strike. Saudi authorities had reported 12 people killed and 309 injured in the initial attack; the Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the additional death and pledged full support for repatriating the victim's remains to India. Limited flight operations, including India-bound services operated by Flynas, have since partially resumed at the airport, though the embassy continued to urge Indian nationals to verify their flight status directly with airlines.
Indian National Among 13 Killed in Houthi Strike on Riyadh Airport
The death toll from the Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh rose to 13 after an Indian national died from injuries sustained in the strike, the Indian Embassy confirmed. The attack occurred on October 10, and the Indian citizen's death was announced the following day, October 11, through a statement the embassy posted on its Facebook page.
The embassy described the development as deeply unfortunate and expressed direct condolences to the victim's family, stating that officials were in contact with relatives and committed to providing full support. The embassy pledged to facilitate the prompt repatriation of the victim's remains back to India and indicated it was actively working with Saudi authorities to that end.
Saudi authorities had earlier announced that the initial attack killed 12 people and left 309 others injured. The Indian national's death added a 13th fatality. The Indian Embassy did not immediately release the name or other identifying details of the deceased but underscored its commitment to assisting the family through every step of the repatriation process. The strike represents a severe blow to South Asian expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia, where Indian nationals constitute one of the largest migrant worker populations in the country and use King Khalid International Airport as a primary travel hub for home visits. [1]
India-Bound Flights Partially Restart at Riyadh Airport; Embassy Issues Safety Advisory
Limited flight operations have resumed at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport following the Houthi attacks, with India-bound services operated by Flynas among the first routes to restart, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh announced. Saudi carriers continued to operate India-bound flights from alternative points of departure including Dammam, Jeddah, and Medina, providing additional travel options for the large Indian expatriate community in the country.
In an advisory issued on October 27, the embassy urged Indian nationals to remain in regular contact with their airlines and to confirm flight status and departure details before travelling to the airport, cautioning that schedules remained subject to change amid continuing disruptions at the facility.
Separately, the mortal remains of an Indian national killed in the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam reached India on the morning of October 27. The embassy confirmed it had provided all necessary assistance to facilitate the return of the victim's remains. Officials also called on Indian nationals residing in Saudi Arabia to observe appropriate precautions and comply fully with local laws, specifically mentioning regulations that prohibit the filming or sharing of sensitive information related to the security situation. [5]
Sources: [1] Anadolu Ajansı · [5] Gulf News