Riyadh/Hyderabad: A 46-year-old Hyderabad man, Mohammed Yusuf (also referred to as Mohammad Yousuf Ali), an IT professional from Mehdipatnam, died on Sunday after sustaining critical injuries in a projectile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday.
Yusuf had travelled from Hyderabad about a week earlier with his wife, two sons and daughter to perform Umrah. The family was at the airport near a check-in kiosk, preparing to travel to Madinah, when the strike occurred around 3 pm local time on October 10. Debris or part of the roof fell on him, causing severe leg injuries. He briefly regained consciousness before suffering a heart attack and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
His elder son underwent knee surgery, while his younger son remains hospitalised after three toes were amputated. His wife and daughter are safe. An aunt who was with the family sustained head injuries but is out of danger.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed the death of one Indian national and said it is in touch with the family. Officials will assist with the early repatriation of the mortal remains. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed condolences and assured full support from the Indian mission in Riyadh.
Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi identified the deceased and said he was in contact with the family and the embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission. He urged the External Affairs Ministry to provide every possible assistance. The family resides in Mehdipatnam.
The Saturday attack, claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, killed 13 people (including Yusuf) and injured more than 300, among them at least 11 Indians. Three injured Indians remained in intensive care but stable as of the latest embassy update, with others discharged or in regular wards. A further projectile strike hit the airport on Sunday.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure, expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and called for an immediate end to such strikes.
Source: Agencies
