Riyadh: An Indian national wounded in a Houthi attack on Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia’s last month has succumbed to his injuries. This has taken the total number of Indian citizens killed in the Gulf since the start of the West Asia conflict to 24.
The death was announced by the Indian embassy in the Saudi capital on social media on Wednesday.
“With a heavy heart, we share that another Indian national, critically injured in the 10 October attack on Riyadh airport, has passed away in the ICU,” it said without giving further details.
Indian authorities continue to work with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of hundreds of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia because of the suspension of flights by Indian carriers following a recent escalation of hostilities, as reported by Hindustan Times.
India has repeatedly called for an end to the targeting of civilians, civil infrastructure and merchant vessels in West Asia.
New Delhi has also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia while condemning continued attacks by Houthi rebels on civil infrastructure and backing the early restoration of peace and normalcy in West Asia.
An Indian national was killed, and 10 more injured in the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The attack was part of the targeting of Saudi infrastructure by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels amid the escalation of the conflict between the rebels and the Saudi-backed government of Yemen.
Another Indian was killed in a strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21. Two Indians were injured in that incident.
It had been by the side of the injured man’s family “throughout, and we remain with them now”, the Indian Embassy has said. It also conveyed condolences to the man’s family and friends.
“We will extend all possible assistance to bring his mortal remains home to India or funeral in Riyadh as per the wishes of the family,” the Embassy said.
A majority of the Indians killed in the Gulf over the last eight months are seafarers. Fifteen seafarers are among the 24 Indians killed so far in the West Asia conflict, which was triggered by attacks on Iran by the US and Israel in February.
An Indian seafarer died on Monday when a projectile struck an Indian-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Oman. The Omani Coast Guard rescued 13 more Indian seafarers aboard the dhow MSV Al Jusufi.
West Asia is home to more than 10 million Indians, the majority of whom are blue-collar workers, including employees of oil fields and infrastructure facilities such as airports. There are also about 18,000 Indian seafarers on board vessels in the region.