New Delhi, 4 November (H.S.): An Indian national who was critically injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 10, died while undergoing treatment, taking the number of Indians killed in the ongoing West Asia conflict to 24.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh announced the death on Wednesday in a post on social media. With a heavy heart, we share that another Indian national, critically injured in the 10 October attack on Riyadh airport, has passed away in the ICU, the embassy said.

The embassy expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said it had remained in contact with them throughout the treatment period. It also assured the family of all possible assistance in bringing the mortal remains to India or arranging the funeral in Riyadh, according to their wishes.

The October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport had earlier killed one Indian national and injured 10 others. The attack was part of a series of strikes targeting Saudi infrastructure amid the escalation of the regional conflict involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Another attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21 killed an Indian national and injured two others, according to the Indian Embassy.

Indian seafarers account for a significant share of the fatalities. Fifteen seafarers are among the 24 Indians reported killed in the conflict so far.

On November 2, an Indian-flagged cargo vessel, MSV Al Jusufi, carrying 14 Indian crew members, was struck by an unidentified aerial object near the coast of Oman. One seafarer, Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, died from his injuries, while the remaining 13 crew members were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.

The Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions in the region are coordinating with local authorities to assist affected nationals and facilitate the return of survivors and the mortal remains of those killed. Indian authorities are also working with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight disruptions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar