# Indian National Killed, Thousands Stranded in Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

> A Houthi attack on Dammam airport in late October 2026 killed one Indian national and injured others, leaving thousands of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-26T12:56:02.870771Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/indian-national-killed-thousands-stranded-in-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-63eedabe

One Indian national died and several others were injured in Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabian airport and oil field infrastructure in late October 2026, prompting India to facilitate the return of thousands of stranded pilgrims [1][4][5]. This situation demonstrates the direct human cost of regional conflicts, as Indian citizens performing religious pilgrimages abroad face escalating tensions and disrupted travel.

## What the records show

On October 21, 2026, a Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, resulted in the death of an Indian national and injuries to two other Indian citizens [4][5][6][7][8]. Another Indian national suffered injuries in a separate Houthi attack on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field [4][8]. These attacks caused significant disruptions to international flights, leaving thousands of Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia [1][2][5]. Around 3,000 pilgrims returned to India in the past week, but approximately 4,000, including an estimated 1,500 to 1,800 from Telangana, remain stranded [2][3][5][9][10][12]. The Houthis also claimed on October 22, 2026, that Saudi Arabian forces targeted an Indian yacht carrying 14 Indians near Zuqar Island in the Red Sea, and stated they were conducting rescue operations [5]. Indian officials have not confirmed this Houthi claim [Fact-check, 5].

## The timeline

On October 21, 2026, a Houthi attack at Dammam airport led to the death of one Indian national and injuries for two others [7][8]. The following day, October 22, 2026, another Indian was injured in a Houthi strike on the Shaybah oil field [4][8]. That same day, the Houthis publicly claimed Saudi forces targeted an Indian yacht [5]. India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks and began efforts to assist stranded Indian pilgrims [4][11]. Over the week of October 23-26, 2026, about 3,000 Indian Umrah pilgrims traveled back to India, with arrangements ongoing for others [3][10][12].

## What changed and for whom

The Houthi attacks led to direct casualties among Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia, affecting their safety [1][4][5]. The disruptions to international flights impacted the travel plans of thousands of Indian Umrah pilgrims, who became stranded [1][2][5]. In response, the Indian government, through its Ministry of External Affairs and diplomatic missions, condemned the attacks and worked to repatriate its citizens [1][9][10][11].

## What the subject has said publicly

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the death of an Indian national in the Dammam airport attack and reported two others injured [3][7][8]. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure are "completely unacceptable and must cease immediately" [4][11]. The MEA also announced its collaboration with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of stranded pilgrims [9][10][12]. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns about approximately 4,000 stranded Indian pilgrims and requested action [5][10][12]. The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabian forces targeted an Indian yacht with 14 Indians and that they were performing rescue operations [5].

## What we could not confirm

We could not confirm if Indian officials have verified the Houthi claim that Saudi Arabian forces targeted an Indian yacht carrying 14 Indians near Zuqar Island in the Red Sea [Fact-check, 5].

## Evidence cited
1. India news: Thousands of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks disrupt flights, government facilitating return - Financial Express (financialexpress.com) — https://financialexpress.com/india-news/thousands-of-indian-pilgrims-stranded-in-saudi-arabia-as-houthi-attacks-disrupt-flights-government-facilitating-return/2026/10/23/
2. Thousands of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks disrupt flights, government facilitating return - Telangana Today (telanganatoday.com) — https://telanganatoday.com/thousands-of-indian-pilgrims-stranded-in-saudi-arabia-as-houthi-attacks-disrupt-flights-government-facilitating-return
3. 3,000 stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims fly back from Saudi Arabia; MEA sets up 24-hour helplines | Top updates (livemint.com) — https://www.livemint.com/news/india/3-000-stranded-indian-umrah-pilgrims-fly-back-from-saudi-arabia-mea-sets-up-24-hour-helplines-top-updates-11666508933227.html
4. Indian killed, three injured in Houthi attacks on Saudi airport and oil field - The Indian Express (indianexpress.com) — https://www.indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-condemns-attacks-moves-to-bring-home-stranded-pilgrims-8224523/
5. Two Killed, Including an Indian, in Houthi Attack on Dammam Airport; India Moves to Bring Home Stranded Pilgrims | AviNews (avi-go.com) — https://avi-go.com/news/two-killed-including-an-indian-in-houthi-attack-on-dammam-airport-india-moves-to-bring-home-stranded-pilgrims/
6. Indian Among 2 Killed In Attack On Saudi Airport, 2 Others Injured (ndtv.com) — https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/indian-among-2-killed-in-attack-on-saudi-airport-2-others-injured-4694901
7. MEA working to bring back stranded Indian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks - The Hindu (thehindu.com) — https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mea-working-to-bring-back-stranded-indian-pilgrims-from-saudi-arabia-after-houthi-attacks/article66046755.ece
8. Indian Killed, Two Injured In Dammam Airport Attack In Saudi Arabia (kashmirobserver.net) — https://kashmirobserver.net/2026/10/22/indian-killed-two-injured-in-dammam-airport-attack-saudi-arabia
9. Saudi Arabia Crisis: MEA Steps Up Efforts To Bring Stranded Indian Pilgrims Home (republicworld.com) — https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world/saudi-arabia-crisis-mea-steps-up-efforts-to-bring-stranded-indian-pilgrims-home-articleshow.html
10. India helping stranded Umrah pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia (gulfnews.com) — https://www.gulfnews.com/news/world/asia/india/india-helping-stranded-umrah-pilgrims-return-from-saudi-arabia-1.92131908
11. India condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, works to bring back stranded pilgrims (hindustantimes.com) — https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-condemns-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-works-to-bring-back-stranded-pilgrims-101666497341870.html
12. India working to facilitate return of pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks (clarionindia.net) — https://clarionindia.net/india-working-to-facilitate-return-of-pilgrims-stranded-in-saudi-arabia-after-houthi-attacks/
13. India condemns Houthi attack on Riyadh airport (yenisafak.com) — https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/india-condemns-houthi-attack-on-riyadh-airport-3606622
14. India condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi airports (aa.com.tr) — https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia/india-condemns-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-airports/2707253
15. India joins in solidarity with Saudi Arabia after 'dastardly' Houthi attack on Riyadh (arabnews.com) — https://www.arabnews.com/node/2000571/saudi-arabia