India on Sunday has issued a fresh safety advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia amid heightened security concerns following drone and missile strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh urged members of the Indian community to exercise caution and immediately move to a safe location in the event of an aerial attack. The advisory comes after an October 10 strike at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed an Indian national and injured several others.
In a social media post, the embassy advised Indians to seek shelter inside buildings or interior rooms away from windows during an aerial attack.
“In case of an aerial attack, immediately proceed to the nearest safe place (inside a building or an interior room away from windows), and refrain from filming, publishing, or sharing any information, photos, or videos related to the ongoing events,” the embassy said.
The embassy said Riyadh’s 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 until October 24, while Akasa Air has extended its suspension until October 27, according to the embassy.
Several scheduled services to India remained available from other Saudi airports. Saudia flights to India were operating from , Jeddah and Medina.
Flynas services from Dammam to Delhi and Mumbai were available between October 17 and 24, 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 via Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas,” the embassy said.
The mission also advised Indians planning to travel to including for Umrah, to factor in the continuing airport disruptions and the possibility of cancellations that could result in prolonged stays.
Embassy officials have continued visiting hospitals where injured Indian nationals are being treated and remain in contact with their families to provide necessary assistance, PTI reported.
In its latest update, the mission said four injured Indians remained in intensive care, while four others were receiving treatment in regular hospital wards. Three injured nationals had been discharged.
The embassy said it was monitoring the condition of those injured and coordinating with their families.
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.
India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and other embassy officials attended the funeral and offered condolences to the bereaved family.
“The funeral rites of 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 heightened concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia as regional security tensions persist.
The had earlier urged Indian nationals to follow updated instructions issued by Saudi authorities, particularly emergency alerts circulated through the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies.
It reiterated that Indians should remain vigilant, comply with local safety directives and avoid sharing photographs or videos related to ongoing security incidents.
The embassy and the Consulate General of India in have also made their 24-hour control rooms available to Indians requiring assistance.
Embassy of India, Riyadh
Telephone: +966-554412016, +966-542126784
Toll-free number within Saudi Arabia: 8002471234
WhatsApp: +966-536216082
Email: [email protected]
Consulate General of India, Jeddah
Telephone: +966-12-2614093, +966-556122301
WhatsApp: +966-536209704
Email: [email protected]
Saudi Arabia has faced heightened security concerns amid regional tensions and reported drone and missile threats attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The embassy’s latest advisory urges Indian nationals to prioritise their safety and account for continuing travel disruptions before making or changing travel plans.
With inputs from PTI.
