India issues new advisory for Saudi nationals amid Houthi attacks, flight disruptions: What we know | Today’s news
India on Sunday issued a new security advisory for its citizens in Saudi Arabia amid heightened security concerns following drone and missile strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has urged members of the Indian community to exercise caution and move to a safe place immediately in case of an airstrike. The alert comes after an October 10 strike at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed an Indian national and injured several others.
In a post on social media, the embassy advised Indians to seek shelter inside buildings or interior rooms away from windows during the airstrike.
“In the event of an airstrike, immediately go to the nearest safe place (inside a building or interior room outside windows) and refrain from filming, posting or sharing any information, photos or videos related to the ongoing events,” the embassy said.
Riyadh airport remains closed, Indian airlines extend flight suspension
The embassy said Riyadh International Airport remained closed to flights, while airports in Dammam, Jeddah and Medina continued to operate, albeit with some disruptions.
Indian airlines have extended the suspension of services to and from Saudi Arabia. Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have suspended flights on all routes till October 24, while Akasa Air has extended the suspension till October 27, according to the embassy.
A few scheduled routes to India remained available from other Saudi airports. Saudi flights to India operated from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina.
Flynas services from Dammam to Delhi and Mumbai were available from 17 to 24 October along with scheduled flights from Dammam to Lucknow. Flyadeal flights from Dammam to Mumbai were also available on October 17 and 18.
“Indian nationals requiring urgent departure may consider transiting through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, provided they obtain the necessary visas,” the embassy said.
The mission also advised Indians planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, including for Umrah, to factor in continued airport disruptions and the possibility of cancellations that could result in extended stays.
Embassy monitors injured Indians, helps families
Embassy officials continue to visit hospitals where the injured Indian citizens are being treated and stay in touch with their families to provide them with the necessary assistance, PTI reported.
In its latest update, the mission said four injured Indians remained in the intensive care unit, while four others were being treated in regular hospital wards. The three injured citizens were released.
The embassy said it was monitoring the condition of the injured and coordinating with their families.
An Indian citizen was killed in the attack on Riyadh airport
Mohammed Yousef Ali, an Indian national who died in the Riyadh airport attack, was laid to rest in the Saudi capital on October 12, according to the Indian embassy.
The Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and other embassy officials attended the funeral and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
“The funeral rites of the late Mohammed Yousef Ali, who unfortunately lost his life in the Riyadh Airport attack, were completed on October 12, 2026 in Riyadh as per the wishes of his family,” the mission said.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia as regional security tensions remain.
The Indians urged that they follow the emergency instructions; issued help lines
The embassy had earlier urged Indian nationals to follow the updated guidelines issued by the Saudi authorities, particularly the emergency alerts sent out through the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies.
Read also | Saudi helicopter crashes near Yemen border as Houthi war rages
She reiterated that Indians should remain vigilant, follow local security guidelines and avoid sharing photos or videos related to ongoing security incidents.
The Embassy and Consulate General of India in Jeddah have also made their 24-hour control rooms available to Indians in need of assistance.
Phone: +966-554412016, +966-542126784
Toll free number in Saudi Arabia: 8002471234
Email: cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in
Consulate General of India, Jeddah
Phone: +966-12-2614093, +966-556122301
Saudi Arabia faces heightened security concerns amid regional tensions and reported drone and missile threats attributed to Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
The embassy’s latest advisory urges Indian nationals to prioritize their safety and consider ongoing travel disruptions before making or changing travel plans.
