MEA: 3,000 stranded Indian pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia amid conflict
Synopsis
With one Indian killed and three others injured in strikes on Saudi infrastructure, the MEA has confirmed that 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned home in a week — and that 24x7 consular helplines in Riyadh and Jeddah are running as the government races to bring back those still stuck.
Key Takeaways
The MEA confirmed on 23 October 2026 that the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia are actively facilitating the return of stranded Umrah pilgrims.
Approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims and more than 10,000 regular pilgrims have returned to India over the past week.
One Indian national was killed and two others were injured in the 21 October attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam ; a fourth Indian was injured in the Shaybah oil field attack.
24x7 control rooms are operational in both Riyadh and Jeddah , supported by community volunteers.
India has formally condemned the attacks on Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure, expressing solidarity with the Saudi government.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, 23 October 2026 said the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia are actively coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in the kingdom amid the ongoing regional conflict. The update came during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
Scale of the Evacuation Effort
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India from Saudi Arabia over the past week. In addition, more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims who were already booked on available flights have also completed their journey back home.
'Arrangements are being under discussion to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest,' Jaiswal said, adding that the Embassy and Consulate have deployed 24x7 control rooms in both Riyadh and Jeddah to assist stranded Indian nationals. Community volunteers are working alongside consular staff, and regular advisories are being issued to keep pilgrims informed of ground conditions.
Indian Casualties in Saudi Strikes
The briefing came a day after India formally condemned the attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The MEA confirmed that one Indian national was killed and two others were injured in the 21 October strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. A fourth Indian national was injured in a separate attack on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on the same date. The MEA offered condolences to the family of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
India Condemns Attacks on Saudi Infrastructure
'We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21. These attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian deaths and injuries,' the MEA said in a formal statement on Thursday.
India also expressed solidarity with Riyadh, reiterating that 'attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately.' The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is in direct contact with Saudi authorities to provide all possible assistance.
Diplomatic Context and What Comes Next
This comes amid a broader escalation of conflict in the region that has disrupted civilian air travel across the Gulf. The Indian government's response — combining consular support, community volunteers, and round-the-clock helplines — mirrors the operational framework deployed during earlier Gulf crises. Notably, the scale of pilgrims affected underscores India's significant religious travel footprint in Saudi Arabia, where tens of thousands of Indians undertake Umrah each month.
With arrangements still under discussion for the remaining stranded pilgrims, the MEA is expected to issue further updates as repatriation efforts continue.
Point of View
And a diplomatic statement of solidarity with a key Gulf partner. What the briefing underscores is that India's Gulf exposure — measured in millions of workers, lakhs of pilgrims, and significant energy import dependence — makes any regional escalation a direct domestic concern. The confirmation of Indian casualties in the Dammam airport strike raises the stakes further; past Gulf crises saw India mount large-scale evacuations, and the government will be keenly aware that any perception of slow response carries political cost. The 24x7 helplines and community volunteer network signal institutional preparedness, but the unresolved question of how many pilgrims remain stranded — and how quickly commercial flights can resume — will define how this response is ultimately judged.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian pilgrims are stranded in Saudi Arabia?
The MEA has not given a precise current figure for those still stranded, but confirmed that about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims and over 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims have returned to India over the past week. Arrangements for the return of the remaining pilgrims are still under discussion.
Were any Indians killed or injured in the Saudi Arabia attacks?
Yes. The MEA confirmed that one Indian national was killed and two others were injured in the 21 October attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. A separate Indian national was injured in the attack on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on the same date.
What is the Indian government doing to help stranded pilgrims?
The Indian Embassy and Consulate are coordinating with airlines and tour operators to arrange flights. Round-the-clock control rooms have been set up in both Riyadh and Jeddah, community volunteers are providing on-ground support, and regular advisories are being issued to keep pilgrims informed.
What is India's official position on the attacks in Saudi Arabia?
India has strongly condemned the attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, calling them 'completely unacceptable.' The MEA expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and called for the attacks to cease immediately, while hoping peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest.
Which sites in Saudi Arabia were attacked on 21 October?
The attacks targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on 21 October 2026. Both strikes resulted in civilian casualties, including Indian nationals.
