{
  "id": 14202520,
  "title": "Indian Embassy urges calm amid Riyadh strikes, 24x7 helpline launched for Indians",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/indian-embassy-urges-calm-amid-riyadh-strikes-24x7-helpline-launched",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T12:15:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/indian-embassy-urges-calm-amid-riyadh-strikes-24x7-helpline-launched-for-indians-1.500708933"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has urged Indian nationals to remain calm and vigilant following a series of deadly strikes in the city. In a statement, the embassy advised Indian nationals to stay indoors in the event of an aerial attack and to follow instructions from local authorities. The embassy also requested that individuals refrain from sharing videos or news related to ongoing events on social media.\n\nThe recent attacks in Riyadh include a strike on the city's international airport on October 12, which resulted in at least 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. The Indian Embassy, along with the Consulate in Jeddah, confirmed that their passport and attestation services through VFS are continuing to operate normally. However, the embassy emphasized the importance of staying updated through official channels.\n\nThe Embassy reported that the funeral rites for Mr. Mohammed Yousef Ali, who passed away in the Riyadh airport attack, were completed on October 12. Ambassador and Embassy officials attended the funeral. Four Indian nationals are currently in the ICU, four are in the normal ward, and three have been discharged. Embassy officials have been visiting the hospitals where the injured Indian nationals are receiving treatment and are in constant contact with their families, providing support.\n\nThe General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has suspended operations at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Flights at other major airports, such as Dammam, Jeddah, and Medina, are operating but may face some disruptions. Indian nationals should be aware that flights from India to Saudi Arabia, including those operated by Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Indigo Airlines, have been suspended until October 17, 2026.\n\nIn light of the exceptional circumstances, the Saudi authorities have announced that Indian nationals who have arrived in the country on Visit/Tourist/Umrah/Business visas and have been forced to overstay their visas due to non-availability of flights will not face fines. However, those with expired visas are advised to exit the Kingdom as soon as flights become available. The embassy has established a 24x7 Control Room to provide assistance to Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia. Contact numbers include +966-11-488469 8002471234 (toll free), +966-536216082 (WhatsApp messages only), and cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in (email).",
  "summary": "The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has called on Indian nationals in the country to stay calm and vigilant in light of the recent circumstances. In a tweeted circular, it called on Indian nationals to stay indoors in case of an aerial attack and follow the instructions issued by local authorities through official channels. It also called on them to not circulate or repost videos or news related to any…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Riyadh keeps moving after deadly strikes, but schools go online and travellers reroute",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/riyadh-keeps-moving-after-deadly-strikes-but-schools-go-online-and",
        "published": "2026-10-13T12:07:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}