Indian National Killed, Two Injured in Dammam Airport Attack
An Indian national has died and two others are injured following an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Tragedy struck at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, where an attack on Wednesday evening left two people dead and several others wounded. Among the casualties is an Indian national, according to official confirmations from both Saudi authorities and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
Casualties and Victims
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed via a post on X that one Indian citizen lost their life in the violence, while two other Indian nationals sustained injuries. The Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation later issued a supplementary statement confirming that the death toll had risen to two, identifying the deceased as a Saudi citizen and an Indian resident.
In addition to the fatalities, eight people were injured in the assault. The injured include:
- Two Indian residents
- Two Yemeni residents
- Two Bangladeshi residents
- One Saudi citizen
- One Nepali resident
Authorities stated that the injuries range from minor to severe, and all affected individuals are currently receiving medical treatment across various hospitals.
Embassy and Government Response
The Indian Embassy has expressed its condolences, stating that their thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. Officials are currently working to ascertain further details regarding the incident and are in the process of contacting the families of the deceased and the injured.
Airport Status and Security Measures
Following the attack, the General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that airport operations have since resumed and air traffic has returned to normal. However, security agencies remain on high alert.
The Authority emphasized that they are working in full coordination with security authorities to:
- Assess the total damage caused by the attack.
- Implement necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.
- Maintain the overall security and safety of the Kingdom’s civil aviation system.
Broader Security Context
The attack comes amid a tense regional security environment. In a related development, the US Department of State recently issued an ordered departure for non-emergency US government employees and their family members specifically from diplomatic posts in Saudi Arabia.
While some media reports suggested a wider drawdown across the Persian Gulf, US Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott clarified that the order applies only to Saudi Arabia. Pigott attributed this decision to the increasing aggression by Iranian-backed Houthi forces, who have been targeting civilian infrastructure within the Kingdom.