Around 3,000 stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia over the past week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, following active coordination between Indian diplomatic missions, airlines and tour operators. More than 10,000 regularly scheduled pilgrims also flew back to India during the same period, with authorities working to bring the remaining pilgrims home at the earliest.
Taking to X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are closely monitoring the situation and providing comprehensive ground support. “Our Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims. Over the past week, about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have travelled from Saudi Arabia back to India on available flights,” he posted, adding, “Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest.”
The spokesperson further noted that round-the-clock emergency support mechanisms have been operationalised at both diplomatic stations, backed by local community networks. “Our Embassy and Consulate, with the support from community volunteers are extending all possible welfare assistance. 24×7 Control Rooms have been established to help Indian nationals, and regular advisories are being issued,” Jaiswal said.
The ministry also shared dedicated helplines for Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia. The Embassy of India in Riyadh can be reached at +966-554412016 and +966-542126784, with a toll-free line, 8002471234, for calls from within the Kingdom, and a WhatsApp messaging service on +966-536216082. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah can be contacted at +966-12-2614093 and +966-556122301, with a WhatsApp messaging line on +966-536209704.
The repatriation update came after an attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. On Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, citing Saudi authorities, said one Indian national was among two people killed in the incident, while two other Indian nationals were injured. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased and we wish speedy recovery of the injured,” the Embassy said in a post on X, adding that it was ascertaining further details and contacting the affected families.
According to a supplementary statement issued by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation on Thursday, the death toll from Wednesday evening’s attack rose to two following confirmation of an additional fatality, with the deceased identified as a Saudi citizen and an Indian resident. The number of injured remained at eight, comprising one Saudi citizen, two Indian residents, two Yemeni residents, two Bangladeshi residents and one Nepali resident. The authority said efforts were underway, in coordination with relevant security agencies, to assess the damage and implement measures to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.
The incident took place on the evening of October 21 at the Dammam airport, with Saudi authorities saying investigations and damage assessments were ongoing and that security agencies were coordinating measures to ensure the safety of airport operations and personnel.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-000-stranded-umrah-pilgrims-return-from-saudi-over-past-week-ministry-12222828#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-10-23 03:36:00
