Hyderabad IT worker dies, sons hurt in Riyadh airport blast

A 46‑year‑old IT professional from Hyderabad, Mohammed Yousuf, died in the King Khalid International Airport attack in Riyadh on October 10. The blast struck while Yousuf’s family waited to travel to Madinah after completing Umrah. Debris fell on Yousuf, causing severe leg injuries and a suspected heart attack; he briefly regained consciousness before dying, though the exact medical cause is not yet confirmed. Two of his sons were injured. One son required immediate knee surgery and the other lost three toes and remains hospitalized. Their mother and daughter were unharmed. Yousuf’s aunt, who was with the family, suffered head injuries but is reported to be out of danger. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi confirmed the death on X on October 11 and appealed to the Indian Embassy for assistance. He said he is in touch with Yousuf’s brother‑in‑law in Riyadh and the Deputy Chief of Mission, who assured that the family is being looked after. Owaisi also urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to provide every possible help. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported 12 dead and 309 injured in the airport attack and temporarily halted operations to assess safety. The Saudi‑led coalition blamed Yemen’s Houthi movement and said it would respond. India condemned the strike and called for an immediate end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Context

The Houthi group has frequently targeted Saudi sites as part of the wider regional conflict, putting pilgrim routes at risk. Indian citizens travelling for religious purposes often rely on embassy support when incidents occur abroad.