The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are working with airlines and tour operators to bring stranded Umrah pilgrims home from Saudi Arabia, where continuing attacks on civilian infrastructure have disrupted travel and claimed lives.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Thursday that about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had returned to India on available flights over the past week.
The Indian missions are coordinating with airlines, tour operators and community volunteers to facilitate the return of those still awaiting flights.
“Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest,” the ministry said.
It added that the embassy and consulate were extending all possible welfare assistance, while 24-hour control rooms had been established to help Indian nationals.
Regular advisories are also being issued as the regional security situation remains uncertain.
The efforts come as India confirmed that one of its nationals was among two people killed in Wednesday’s attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
Two other Indian nationals were injured. The Indian Embassy said it was gathering further details and contacting the affected families.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased, and we wish a speedy recovery for the injured,” the embassy said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that the attack Wednesday evening killed one Indian resident and one Saudi citizen.
Eight people were injured, including two Indians, two Yemenis, two Bangladeshis, one Nepalese and one Saudi citizen, the authority said. Their injuries ranged from minor to critical, and they were receiving treatment at hospitals.
GACA said operations at King Fahd International Airport had resumed and air traffic had returned to normal. The authority is coordinating with other agencies to assess the damage, verify the safety of airport facilities and take measures to protect passengers and personnel.
The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of civilian infrastructure amid continuing regional hostilities.
India strongly condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian and energy infrastructure, including strikes targeting Dammam airport and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field on Oct. 21.
“These attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian deaths and injuries,” the MEA said.
New Delhi stressed that attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure were unacceptable and must stop immediately. It also reiterated India’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty and expressed hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region.
The Indian Embassy urged its nationals in Saudi Arabia to exercise caution amid the prevailing security situation.
In an advisory issued Sunday, it asked residents to move immediately to the nearest safe place in the event of an aerial attack, preferably inside a building or an interior room away from windows. It also advised people against filming or sharing photographs and videos relating to ongoing attacks.
Embassy officials have been visiting hospitals where Indian nationals are receiving treatment and maintaining contact with their families.
The Indian missions said they would continue providing assistance to affected nationals and working to facilitate the return of stranded pilgrims.
