Six Indian nationals have lost their lives, and one remains missing in separate incidents across the Gulf region amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, adding that Indian missions are coordinating with local authorities for assistance and repatriation.
An Indian national was killed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 18, bringing the total number of Indian fatalities in the Gulf region to six. The circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear. In a social media post, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh expressed its “deepest condolences on the tragic demise of an Indian national in Riyadh due to recent events on March 18th” and said it is in contact with the deceased’s family and local authorities. “We remain committed to extending all possible assistance in this matter,” the post added.
Addressing an interministerial briefing, Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, said Indian missions in multiple countries are working closely with authorities to locate the missing person and facilitate the return of the deceased to India. “Six Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives, and one is missing in various incidents. Our missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are in regular touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for the early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased Indian nationals to India,” Mahajan said.
He added that the travel situation from the Gulf region is gradually improving, with a significant number of passengers already returning to India. “The situation continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region. Since February 28, around 300,000 passengers have returned from the region to India,” the MEA official said.
According to Mahajan, airlines from the United Arab Emirates are continuing to operate limited non-scheduled flights depending on operational and safety considerations. “From the UAE, airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations. Today, again, around 90 flights are expected to operate from various airports in the UAE to India,” he added.
Flights are also continuing from Oman and Saudi Arabia, while the partial reopening of airspace in Qatar has allowed some commercial movement. “With the Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate 10 non-scheduled commercial flights to India today,” Mahajan said.
However, airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain remains closed. To assist stranded passengers, Kuwait Airways will begin special non-scheduled commercial flights from Al Qaisumah International Airport in Saudi Arabia to India, with the first flight scheduled to depart for Kochi on Friday. “This will facilitate the travel of Indian nationals from Kuwait to India,” Mahajan said. Similarly, Gulf Air of Bahrain continues to operate special non-scheduled commercial flights from King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia to India amid ongoing airspace restrictions.
(With inputs from ANI)