Dammam Airport Attack: India Rushes to Repatriate Stranded Pilgrims
India's MEA coordinates the return of Umrah pilgrims after a deadly attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia are working tirelessly to ensure the safe and early return of pilgrims affected by a violent attack at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The tragedy, which occurred on Wednesday, has left the Indian community in shock and triggered a massive repatriation effort to bring stranded nationals back home.
Casualties and Injuries in the Attack
The attack on the airport facility resulted in the loss of two lives. According to the Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the deceased include one Saudi citizen and one Indian resident. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed the death of the Indian national and stated that they are currently in the process of contacting the bereaved family.
In addition to the fatalities, eight people were injured in the strike. The injured include:
- Two Indian nationals
- One Saudi citizen
- Two Yemeni nationals
- Two Bangladeshi nationals
- One Nepalese national
The Saudi authorities have noted that the injuries range from minor to critical, and all affected individuals are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals.
Mass Repatriation of Umrah Pilgrims
The chaos following the attack left thousands of Umrah pilgrims stranded. The MEA provided a detailed update on the movement of Indian citizens over the past week, revealing that approximately 3,000 stranded pilgrims have already managed to travel back to India using available flights.
This figure is over and above the 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims who were already booked on flights and have successfully returned home during the same period. The Indian government is now coordinating with tour operators and airlines to arrange flights for the remaining pilgrims to ensure they return at the earliest possible opportunity.
Diplomatic Support and Welfare Measures
To manage the crisis, the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia have implemented several emergency measures:
- 24/7 Control Rooms: Dedicated centers have been established to provide immediate assistance to Indian nationals.
- Regular Advisories: The missions are issuing constant updates to keep citizens informed.
- Community Collaboration: Diplomatic staff are working alongside community volunteers to provide comprehensive welfare assistance to those in distress.
Saudi Arabia's Response and Airport Status
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) stated that it is working closely with relevant departments to assess structural damage to the airport and verify the overall safety of the facility. The priority remains the protection of personnel and passengers to maintain the security of the national aviation network.
Officials have confirmed that operations at King Fahd International Airport have since resumed, and normal air traffic flows have been restored.
India Condemns Attacks on Infrastructure
New Delhi has issued a stern condemnation of the violence, targeting not only the Dammam airport strike but also a separate incident at the Saudi Aramco Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21.
"We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia... These attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian deaths and injuries," the MEA stated.
The ministry reiterated that attacks on critical and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must stop immediately, expressing hope for a swift return to peace and normalcy in the region.