One Indian national has died and several more are in hospital after the Riyadh airport attack, a series of strikes on King Khalid International Airport. The Indian Embassy has told a community of more than two million in Saudi Arabia to stay alert, stay indoors when necessary and follow Saudi instructions.
The airport, Saudi Arabia’s main international gateway to its capital, has been closed since Saturday 10 October. A notice to airmen keeps it shut until 17 October, and Indian airlines have suspended flights to several Saudi cities until the same date.
What happened in the Riyadh airport attack?
The airport was struck several times over four days. The deadliest strike came on Saturday 10 October. The General Authority of Civil Aviation said 12 people were killed and 309 injured, some critically. The dead were four Saudis, two Bangladeshis and one national each of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan, according to the authority’s count.
An earlier strike on Thursday 8 October killed at least three Saudis, including a pilot, the aviation authority said. A further attack on Sunday 11 October killed one person and injured 11 near terminals 3 and 4, which serve domestic flights, the aviation authority said.
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed the attacks. Its military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the group had carried out multiple operations against the airport, and the head of its media office wrote on X that the group had shut down Riyadh’s international airport. The Saudi-led coalition called the 10 October strike a “full-fledged war crime”.
The strikes follow the collapse of a ceasefire in Yemen. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government began a new offensive on 4 October, and the Houthis have attacked targets inside Saudi Arabia since 13 July 2026, according to the United Kingdom’s travel advice for Saudi Arabia. Abha International Airport in the south-west was also targeted in the days before the Riyadh strikes.
How many Indians were hurt in the Riyadh airport attack?
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on 11 October that 11 Indian nationals were injured. One of them died on 11 October from injuries sustained in the 10 October strike. By 13 October, the Embassy’s figures showed four Indians in intensive care, four in hospital wards and three discharged.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi identified the man who died as Mohammad Yousuf Ali of Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, and said he had travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. The Embassy has not published his name. His funeral was held in Riyadh on 12 October, and the Indian Ambassador attended.
What has India said?
The Embassy issued a statement on 8 October condemning the attacks on Abha and King Khalid International Airports, which it said had caused civilian deaths and injuries. “The targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable,” the statement said. It offered condolences to bereaved families and said India stood with the people and government of Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on 11 October that the attacks were completely unacceptable and must cease immediately. On 13 October, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the Embassy’s latest advisory on X.
What does the Embassy advisory tell Indians to do?
The Embassy’s advisory of 8 October asks all Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors as necessary and follow instructions issued by local authorities through official channels. It strongly advises Indians not to circulate or repost videos or news about the events.
The advisory says the Embassy in Riyadh, the Consulate General in Jeddah and their outsourced VFS services are working normally. The 24-hour helpline of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra remains open on the toll-free number 8002471234, which can be dialled from within Saudi Arabia. The Embassy posts updates on X at @IndianEmbRiyadh, and the Consulate General in Jeddah has set up its own control room for Indians, including Umrah pilgrims.
In its update of 13 October, the Embassy told Indians to stay indoors in case of an aerial attack. It said Saudi authorities would not fine visitors on visit, tourist, Umrah or business visas who overstay because they cannot get a flight home. The Jeddah consulate advised Umrah pilgrims to check their flight status regularly with their airlines.
EXPLAINER
What is a NOTAM?
A NOTAM, or notice to airmen, is an official notice issued by aviation authorities to warn pilots and airlines about changes to airports, airspace or navigation. Airlines plan their schedules around them.
The notice for King Khalid International Airport keeps it closed until 17 October. Airlines cannot schedule flights into a closed airport, which is why Indian carriers have set their own suspensions to the same date. A new notice can extend or shorten the closure.
Which flights are affected?
IndiGo has suspended all flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until 17 October. Air India has suspended Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah services and is offering full refunds. Air India Express and Akasa Air have also cut some or all of their Saudi routes for the same period.
Other Saudi airports are open but disrupted. The aviation authority confirmed a strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah are operating with schedules changing at short notice. Travellers with bookings should check directly with their airline before leaving for any airport.
| Airline | Saudi routes affected | Until |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | 17 October |
| Air India | Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah (full refunds) | 17 October |
| Air India Express | Some or all Saudi routes | 17 October |
| Akasa Air | Some or all Saudi routes | 17 October |
What are other governments advising?
The United States has placed Saudi Arabia at Level 3, its “reconsider travel” warning. Its embassy said on 12 October that US government staff need special authorisation to use any Saudi airport.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in its travel advice for Saudi Arabia, advises against all but essential travel to Riyadh province, Jeddah, Dammam and every Saudi airport except Medina. That advice was last updated on 11 October.
What happens next?
The airport’s closure runs until at least 17 October, and the airline suspensions are set to the same date. Both could change with the security situation. The Embassy has said it will issue further updates and advisories as needed.
Further reports on Indians abroad are in the News section, and travel guides are in the Travel section.
What Indian families in Saudi Arabia are asking
Who should Indians in Saudi Arabia call for help?
The Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helpline runs 24 hours a day on the toll-free number 8002471234 from within Saudi Arabia. The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah have set up control rooms, and both post their current numbers and email addresses on their official X accounts.
Will I be fined if my visa runs out because my flight is cancelled?
The Embassy said on 13 October that Saudi authorities will not fine holders of visit, tourist, Umrah or business visas who overstay because they could not get a flight. Keep your cancelled booking and airline messages as proof, and confirm your status with the Saudi authorities or the Embassy before travelling.
Are Indian airlines flying to Saudi Arabia?
Not to most cities for now. IndiGo has suspended Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until 17 October, and Air India has suspended Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until the same date with full refunds. Air India Express and Akasa Air have also cut services. Check your airline’s own website or app for the latest position.
Are the Embassy and consulate still open for passports and visas?
Yes. The Embassy’s advisory says the Embassy in Riyadh, the Consulate General in Jeddah and their VFS centres are functioning normally. Applicants should still check before travelling to an appointment, and follow any movement instructions from local authorities.
