NEW DELHI: The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia on Thursday issued an advisory to Indian nationals after several explosions were heard in Riyadh, including a large blast at King Khalid International Airport. It urged them to remain alert, stay indoors as necessary and follow instructions issued by local authorities.“In view of the current situation, all Indian nationals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors as necessary, and follow the instructions issued by local authorities through official channels,” the embassy said.It further added, “Indian nationals are strongly advised to refrain from circulating or reposting any videos or news related to the ongoing events. The Embassy of India, Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah and its outsourced services through VFS, are continuing to function normally and will issue updates and advisories as and when necessary.”Air India and Lufthansa have also cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10 and October 16, respectively. King Khalid International Airport had earlier advised passengers to remain in contact with their respective airlines for information on flight status.The embassy further said its 24×7 Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helpline remains available at 8002471234 and advised the Indian community to follow the embassy’s official social media handles for updates.The advisory came after several explosions were heard in Riyadh on Thursday, including a large blast at the city’s international airport. The cause of the blasts was not immediately known, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.King Khalid International Airport was “closed again”, flight tracker Flightradar24 said on X.According to the eyewitness accounts, fire and ambulance crews were deployed at the airport, and smoke was visible. Outgoing flights were also halted, and passengers were asked to leave their checked-in luggage behind and evacuate the airport.India on Wednesday condemned attacks targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in recent days, which Saudi authorities said killed three people and injured several others.“India condemns the attacks that targeted Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh during the past few days, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians. Targeting civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable,” the ministry of external affairs said.“We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We also express our solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it added.The latest explosions came a day after Saudi officials said attacks claimed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on King Khalid airport and Abha airport had killed three people. The King Khalid attack killed a Sudanese national and wounded eight others, while the Abha attack killed Moroccan and Algerian residents and injured 28 people, officials said.
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The attacks have raised concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, as the kingdom becomes increasingly involved in the latest front of the Iran war.Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen have repeatedly claimed attacks on airports, military installations and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia in recent days. Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces launched a major ground and air offensive over the weekend aimed at retaking territory seized by the Houthis along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.The developments also sent oil prices higher, while the disruption at Riyadh airport affected air travel.
