3,000 Stranded Umrah Pilgrims Return Home from Saudi Arabia
MEA confirms 3,000 stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims have returned home. Details on support systems and a tragic attack at Dammam airport.
In a major relief for thousands of families, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have successfully returned to India from Saudi Arabia over the last week. This operation was made possible through intense coordination between Indian diplomatic missions, various airlines, and tour operators.
While the focus remained on those who were stuck, the MEA noted that the return flow was significant; in addition to the stranded travellers, more than 10,000 pilgrims who were on regularly scheduled flights also returned to India during the same period.
Diplomatic Efforts and Ground Support
Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to X to detail the efforts being made by the Indian government. He emphasized that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are monitoring the situation with high priority to ensure no pilgrim is left behind.
According to Jaiswal, the diplomatic missions are actively engaging with tour operators and airlines to secure available flights for the remaining pilgrims. To ensure the welfare of Indian nationals, the government has implemented several support measures:
- 24x7 Control Rooms: Established at both the Embassy and Consulate to provide immediate assistance.
- Community Networks: Local volunteers are working alongside diplomats to provide welfare support.
- Regular Advisories: Continuous updates are being issued to keep Indian nationals informed.
Emergency Contact Details for Indians in KSA
For those still in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requiring urgent help, the MEA has released the following contact points:
Embassy of India, Riyadh:
Telephone: +966-554412016; +966-542126784
Toll-free: 8002471234 (Within KSA only)
WhatsApp: +966-536216082
Consulate General of India, Jeddah:
Telephone: +966-12-2614093; +966-556122301
WhatsApp: +966-536209704
Tragedy at Dammam Airport
Amidst the repatriation efforts, a somber update emerged regarding a security incident in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that an Indian national was among the two people killed in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on the evening of Wednesday, October 21.
The Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that the death toll rose to two, consisting of one Saudi citizen and one Indian resident. The attack also left eight people injured, including two Indian residents, two Yemeni residents, two Bangladeshi residents, one Nepali resident, and one Saudi citizen.
"We are ascertaining further details and contacting the affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased and we wish speedy recovery of the injured," the Embassy stated.
Saudi security agencies are currently conducting investigations and assessing the damage at the airport to implement stricter safety measures for passengers and staff. Airport operations continue as authorities work to ensure the safety of all personnel and travellers.