India Advises Citizens in Saudi Arabia to Stay Indoors During Aerial Attacks, Opens 24-Hour Helpline
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has urged Indian nationals to remain vigilant and seek shelter during aerial attacks as regional security concerns intensify, while establishing a 24-hour control room to assist citizens affected by the ongoing situation.
In an advisory issued Tuesday, the embassy called on Indian citizens to remain calm, follow official safety instructions and avoid unnecessary exposure during potential attacks.
“In view of the current situation, all Indian nationals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to remain calm and vigilant, stay indoors in case of an aerial attack, and follow the instructions issued by local authorities through official channels,” the embassy said.
The diplomatic mission also strongly discouraged Indian nationals from sharing or reposting videos and news reports related to the ongoing developments.
Travelers were advised to maintain regular contact with their airlines and verify flight schedules before traveling to airports.
The embassy said Indian nationals facing emergencies who wish to leave Saudi Arabia could consider flights departing from neighboring Gulf countries, particularly Qatar and Bahrain, provided they meet the applicable visa requirements.
To assist the Indian community, the embassy has established a control room operating around the clock.
“In view of the evolving situation, the Embassy has opened 24×7 Control Room to provide necessary assistance to Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia,” it said.
The advisory follows a deadly October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that left 12 people dead and 309 injured, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.
The Indian Embassy also provided an update on Indian nationals injured in the attack, reporting that four remain in intensive care, four are receiving treatment in regular hospital wards and three have been discharged.
Embassy officials have been visiting injured Indian nationals at hospitals and maintaining contact with their families.
“The Embassy officials continue to visit the hospitals where the injured Indian nationals are receiving medical treatment, and are in constant touch with their family members and providing all possible support,” the embassy said.
The embassy also confirmed that funeral rites for Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an Indian national killed in the airport attack, were held in Riyadh on October 12 in accordance with his family’s wishes.
India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and other embassy officials attended the funeral.
India condemned the airport attack on October 11, calling for an immediate end to attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“The repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The ministry expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and called for the restoration of regional stability.
“We stand in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest,” it said. (Source: IANS)
