Mohammed Yousuf Ali, the Indian national killed in a Houthi attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10, will be laid to rest in Saudi Arabia after his family opted to hold the funeral there, the Indian Embassy said. His two children were also injured in the attack.
In an update on the attack, the embassy said its officials had visited hospitals treating injured Indian nationals and were in constant contact with their families. Several patients remain in intensive care, while others have been moved to regular wards or discharged.
Ali's death was earlier confirmed by the Indian Embassy after he sustained injuries in the attack. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi identified him as Mohammed Yousuf Ali and said his wife and two children were also caught up in the incident.
FAMILY DECIDES TO HOLD FUNERAL IN RIYADH
Confirming the family's decision, the Indian Embassy said: "The family of late Mohammed Yousuf Ali, who passed away in the attack on Riyadh airport, has decided to conduct the funeral in Riyadh itself. Mission is providing all assistance to the bereaved family including completion of all formalities for the funeral.
"Mission officials have visited the hospitals where injured nationals are undergoing treatment. Three persons continue to be in ICU, and two more have been admitted in the ICU, two remain in the normal ward, and rest have been discharged. The Embassy remains in constant touch with their family members and providing all possible support."
According to the embassy, five injured people are currently in intensive care, while two remain in regular hospital wards. The remaining patients have been discharged. The mission said it was continuing to coordinate with hospitals and local authorities to monitor the condition of the injured and provide assistance to their families.
INDIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON RIYADH AIRPORT
India has strongly condemned the repeated attacks on King Khalid International Airport. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: "We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property. We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured persons."
New Delhi also called for an immediate end to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, stressing that such incidents were unacceptable.
"The repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately," the statement added.
India expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reiterated its support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, while calling for peace and a return to normalcy in the region.
"We stand in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest," the MEA said.
AIRPORT SHUTDOWN DISRUPTS FLIGHTS ACROSS SAUDI ARABIA
The October 10 attack was part of a series of strikes on Riyadh's airport amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The weekend attacks killed people and injured hundreds.
King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia's second-busiest airport after Jeddah, remained shut on Monday as authorities worked to ensure the safety of its facilities before resuming operations.
The Saudi civil aviation authority said the suspension was necessary "to allow for the completion of procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the airport's facilities".
The closure has caused significant disruption to air travel. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 82% of scheduled flights at the airport had been cancelled by noon GMT on Monday. Cancellations across all Saudi airports stood at 46.4 per cent, with the figures potentially rising further. Flight-tracking data also showed aircraft avoiding Riyadh, although planes continued to cross Saudi airspace and land at Jeddah, which is a major aviation hub on the kingdom's western coast.
Several international airlines have suspended or extended flight cancellations. Lufthansa Group cancelled flights to Riyadh until October 16, while Air France-KLM extended its suspension of services to and from the capital until the end of the month. Etihad Airways also extended cancellations affecting flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
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