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Eleven Indians Injured in Deadly Missile Strike at Riyadh Airport

Reported by Abhishek Tiwari (Copy Editor) · Indian Express - World ·

Verified — Confirmed by a second source: NPR - World

Confirmed by a second source: NPR - World

Major
WorldEleven Indians Injured in Deadly Missile Strike at Riyadh Airport
Representative image · Wikimedia Commons

At least eleven Indian nationals suffered injuries during a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the figures following the attack on terminals 3 and 4, which left a total of twelve people dead and over three hundred wounded.

Official Response

The Indian embassy in Riyadh stated it is actively tracking the situation and maintaining direct contact with local authorities and hospital officials to check on the welfare of the injured citizens. Civil aviation authorities reported that the dead include four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, a Palestinian, an American, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian, and a Sudanese national. Multiple victims remain in critical condition.

Background

The incident follows a major military offensive launched by a Saudi-led coalition against Houthi forces in Yemen. President Donald Trump stated the United States is evaluating whether to join Saudi strikes in response to the violence. Operations at the Riyadh facility faced a complete suspension through midnight, with flights diverted and heavy security deployed across the area.

Context

Regional security tensions have escalated sharply following renewed aerial assaults involving Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed forces. Major international carriers and foreign governments have issued warnings advising citizens to avoid the affected aviation hub while emergency services manage the aftermath.

ExplainerWhy this matters

What Happened

Yemen's Houthi rebels launched airstrikes targeting terminals 3 and 4 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in twelve deaths and over three hundred injuries, including eleven Indian citizens. The strike occurred amid a broader escalation following a Saudi-led military offensive in Yemen.

Why It Matters

The incident marks the deadliest attack in any Gulf Arab country since the start of the wider regional conflict. It directly threatens vital international aviation and trade hubs in Saudi Arabia, which serves as the world's top oil exporter, causing immediate disruptions to global flight paths and rattling energy markets.

What Happens Next

Saudi Arabia is expected to ramp up diplomatic and military pressure on international allies, including the United States, for enhanced defense support. U.S. leadership is currently reviewing potential military responses, while regional authorities maintain heightened security and flight suspensions at key airports.

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