Riyadh airport attack: One Indian dead, 10 injured — are flights cancelled?

One Indian national has died and 10 others were injured in the October 10 attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The Indian Embassy said three of the surviving injured were in intensive care but stable, two remained in regular hospital wards and the others had been discharged in its October 11 update. Flights to and from Riyadh have been heavily disrupted, with further cancellations following another strike on October 11. Indian passengers and Umrah pilgrims should check directly with their airline before setting out for the airport.

What happened at Riyadh airport?

A missile struck a passenger terminal complex at King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, October 10. Saudi aviation authorities initially reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries. The Indian national was among those first reported injured and died on Sunday, raising the reported death toll from Saturday’s attack to 13.

A projectile struck the airport again on Sunday, October 11. Saudi authorities reported a separate death and further injuries in that attack. Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strikes. The repeated attacks have affected the airport’s operations as well as travellers’ plans across the region.

What is known about the Indian casualties?

The embassy initially said 11 Indians were among the injured in Saturday’s attack. One subsequently died, leaving 10 injured survivors. Embassy officials visited the hospitals treating Indian nationals and said they were working with the bereaved family to arrange the return of the deceased person’s remains.

The Indian Express reported that the person who died was from Hyderabad and was travelling with family for Umrah. Family members were also injured. The embassy’s publicly reported medical update did not identify which of the injured people were in intensive care; it said the three patients there were stable as of October 11.

India condemned the repeated attacks on the airport and civilian infrastructure and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. The casualty figures and patients’ conditions may change as authorities issue further updates.

Are flights to Riyadh cancelled?

Yes, many flights have been cancelled, but passengers should not assume that every Riyadh flight has the same status. Airlines suspended services after attacks earlier in the week, and the October 10 and 11 strikes brought further disruption. As of October 12, travellers could not rely on normal operations at King Khalid International Airport.

Air India had previously announced cancellations to and from Riyadh through October 10. That earlier notice does not establish the status of a flight booked for October 12 or later. Check the operating airline’s flight-status service using the flight number and booking reference, even if a general timetable still displays the flight. Confirm the terminal as well as the departure time before leaving for the airport.

If a flight is cancelled, contact the airline or the travel agent that issued the ticket about rebooking or a refund. Travellers with a connection through Riyadh should ask about the entire itinerary rather than assuming an onward flight remains usable. Umrah groups should also confirm any revised air and ground arrangements with their organiser before changing plans independently.

Is it safe to travel to Riyadh?

There is an active security risk and a rapidly changing aviation situation; a confirmed booking alone is not an assurance that a journey can proceed. Indian nationals should follow Saudi authorities’ instructions, remain alert to embassy updates and avoid travelling to the airport simply to seek information about a cancelled flight. Anyone already at the airport should follow directions from airport staff and security personnel.

Families seeking assistance can contact the Indian Embassy in Riyadh on its toll-free Saudi number, 800 247 1234. Its 24-hour helpline can also be reached from India at +966 11 488 4697. Passengers seeking flight changes should contact their airline first; those seeking information about an affected relative can approach the embassy.