Tragic Attack at Dammam Airport Claims Lives of Indian Nationals
Incident Overview
The authorities have not specified whether the attack on the airport involved a drone or a missile.
Dubai, Oct 22: An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, resulted in the death of an Indian national and injuries to two others, as reported by officials on Thursday. This incident occurred just a day after another Indian was hurt in a drone strike aimed at the Shaybah oilfield, highlighting a troubling trend of assaults on vital infrastructure.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that Saudi officials had communicated the details of the casualties from the airport attack that took place on Wednesday night.
“One Indian national was among the two fatalities in the Dammam airport incident last night, and two Indian nationals sustained injuries,” the embassy stated in a social media update.
The embassy is currently seeking more information and reaching out to the families affected.
“We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and wish a swift recovery to the injured,” it added.
Authorities have yet to clarify whether the attack was executed using a drone or a missile.
As per the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, both an Indian national and a Saudi citizen lost their lives, while eight others were reported injured.
The injured individuals include one Saudi, two Indians, two Yemenis, two Bangladeshis, and one Nepalese national.
“Their injuries vary from minor to critical, and they are currently receiving medical attention at various hospitals,” GACA mentioned in a statement.
Operations at the airport have resumed, and air traffic is back to normal.
“GACA is actively collaborating with relevant authorities to assess the damage, ensure the safety of facilities, and implement necessary measures to protect passengers and staff, thereby maintaining the security of the kingdom’s civil aviation system,” it stated.
This attack is part of a broader pattern of increasing drone and missile assaults targeting Saudi Arabia’s airports, energy facilities, and other essential infrastructure. While Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been implicated in ongoing attacks against the kingdom, Saudi officials have not publicly attributed the Dammam airport incident to any specific group.
The recent fatalities follow a drone strike on Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield on Wednesday, which also resulted in injuries to another Indian national.