NEW DELHI, Nov. 4 -- An Indian national who was critically injured in a missile attack on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh last month has succumbed to his injuries, taking the number of Indians killed in the ongoing West Asia conflict to 24 since hostilities began in February.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the death on Wednesday, saying the victim had been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit following the October 10 attack, which was blamed on Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The deceased was identified in local reports as Sheikh Saeed, 36, a resident of Kamareddy district in Telangana. He had reportedly been employed at a Starbucks outlet at the airport and had been working in Saudi Arabia for more than a decade.
Expressing grief over the death, the Indian Embassy said it had remained in contact with the victim's family throughout his hospitalisation and would continue extending assistance.
The mission conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and said it would facilitate either the repatriation of his mortal remains to India or funeral arrangements in Riyadh, depending on the family's wishes.
The latest fatality is the second involving an Indian national in the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport. Another Indian had earlier died of injuries sustained during the strike, which targeted a terminal complex at the airport.
The attack killed several people and injured hundreds, making it one of the deadliest strikes on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia during the latest escalation of hostilities involving the Houthi rebels.
Saudi authorities initially reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries in the attack. The subsequent deaths of two Indian nationals undergoing treatment have taken the reported toll to 14.
The October 10 strike was followed by further attacks on Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure, including King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21.
An Indian national was killed and two others were injured in the Dammam airport attack. Another Indian sustained injuries in a separate strike on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province.
India strongly condemned the attacks, describing the targeting of civilian and critical infrastructure as unacceptable and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed hope for the restoration of peace and normalcy in the region.
The continuing conflict has also taken a heavy toll on Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf and adjoining maritime routes. Of the 24 Indians reported killed since the conflict began in February, 15 were seafarers.
On Monday, an Indian sailor was killed when a projectile struck an Indian-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Oman. The Omani Coast Guard rescued 13 other Indian crew members aboard the vessel, identified as MSV Al Jusufi.
The incident highlighted the growing risks faced by merchant vessels and their crews as military hostilities increasingly affect commercial shipping routes in the region.
The conflict, which escalated following military attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel in February, has disrupted maritime trade, aviation operations and energy infrastructure across parts of West Asia.
More than 10 million Indians live and work in the region, including a substantial number employed in construction, aviation, oil and gas installations, hospitality and other essential services.
Approximately 18,000 Indian seafarers are also serving aboard vessels operating in the region, exposing them to heightened risks from attacks on commercial shipping and maritime infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities are coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of hundreds of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight suspensions triggered by the recent escalation.
New Delhi has repeatedly called for restraint, the protection of civilians and an end to attacks on commercial vessels and critical infrastructure, while maintaining diplomatic engagement with countries affected by the conflict.
The Indian missions in the region continue to coordinate with local authorities to assist affected nationals, provide support to injured citizens and facilitate the repatriation of mortal remains where required.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.