Riyadh: An Indian national was among two people killed in an attack on Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night, while two other Indian nationals were injured, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Thursday. The incident caused damage to the airport and disrupted flights, amid escalating drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi infrastructure.
Indian Embassy contacts families of victims
Riyadh: The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed the casualties in a post on X, citing information received from Saudi authorities. Embassy officials are contacting the affected families to obtain further details and provide assistance.
“Saudi authorities have informed that one Indian national was among two people who unfortunately lost their lives in the attack on Dammam airport yesterday night and two Indian nationals were injured,” the embassy said.
Expressing condolences, the embassy added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased and we wish speedy recovery of the injured.”
The identities of the Indian nationals and further details about their circumstances had not been disclosed in the initial statement. The embassy’s communication indicated that officials were continuing to coordinate with the affected families following the incident.
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), a Saudi resident was also killed, while eight people were injured in the attack. The available reports did not provide a detailed breakdown of the injuries or identify those responsible for the airport incident.
Dammam airport sustains damage as flights are diverted
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority said the airport sustained damage during the attack. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 reported that flights were diverted overnight, indicating disruption to air traffic following the incident.
Dammam is a major city in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, an important area for the country’s energy industry and transport links. Disruptions to airport operations can affect passengers, airline schedules and connections across the region.
The extent of the damage to the airport and the duration of any operational restrictions were not immediately clear from the initial reports. Further information from Saudi authorities would be needed to establish the full impact on airport facilities and flight services.
The attack occurred amid a wider escalation in drone and missile activity targeting Saudi infrastructure. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of civilian facilities, energy installations and people living or working in affected areas.
Drone attacks reported in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region
The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted four drone attacks in the country’s Eastern Region. However, the available information did not establish whether those interceptions were directly connected to the attack on Dammam airport.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen had not commented on the latest airport incident at the time of the report. No confirmed attribution for the attack on Dammam airport was provided in the initial statements.
The distinction is important as Saudi Arabia has reported multiple drone-related incidents during the broader escalation. Individual attacks and interceptions should not be treated as part of the same operation unless authorities establish a connection.
The latest incident adds to concerns over the potential consequences of aerial attacks in areas where civilian transport facilities and critical infrastructure operate close to strategic installations.
Separate drone incident at Shaybah oilfield kills two foreigners
Earlier, debris from an intercepted drone struck Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in southeastern Saudi Arabia, killing two foreign nationals and injuring an Indian and a Pakistani national.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry identified the two deceased workers as Nepali and Filipino nationals. The debris also caused a fire involving a contractor’s vehicle.
Despite the incident, oilfield operations remained unaffected, according to the reported information.
The Shaybah incident was separate from the attack reported at Dammam airport. While both involved drone-related security concerns, the available reports did not establish that the incidents were directly connected.
The injury of an Indian national at Shaybah, alongside the casualties reported at Dammam airport, has highlighted the risks faced by foreign workers in Saudi Arabia during the current escalation.
Indian Embassy issues safety advisory to nationals
The Indian Embassy has urged Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow instructions issued by local authorities and take shelter indoors during aerial attacks.
It has also warned people against filming or sharing images of drone interceptions and impact sites, citing possible legal consequences under Saudi law.
The advisory underscores the importance of following official safety instructions during security incidents. People are encouraged to avoid affected areas, remain alert to local announcements and refrain from approaching locations where emergency services are operating.
Indian nationals who require assistance following the incidents can monitor communications from the embassy and follow the instructions issued by Saudi authorities.
Investigation and further details awaited
The attack on Dammam airport has left two people dead, including an Indian national, and two other Indian nationals injured, according to the Indian Embassy. Airport damage and overnight flight diversions were also reported.
Authorities have not provided a complete account of the incident, including the identity of those responsible, the precise circumstances of the attack or the full extent of the damage. The relationship, if any, between the airport incident and other drone attacks in the region also remains unconfirmed.
As the situation develops, the Indian Embassy is continuing to contact affected families, while nationals in Saudi Arabia have been advised to follow local safety instructions. Further official updates are expected to clarify the circumstances of the attack and the assistance available to those affected.