Stranded Umrah pilgrims return safely to India, says Kiren Rijiju
Synopsis
More than 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India following a deadly attack on Dammam's King Fahd International Airport that killed one Indian resident. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the evacuations on Friday, with 24x7 control rooms operational at Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah as remaining pilgrims await repatriation.
Key Takeaways
Kiren Rijiju confirmed on 23 October 2026 that stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned safely to India .
Over 3,000 stranded pilgrims have been evacuated from Saudi Arabia in the past week, in addition to more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims.
An attack on King Fahd International Airport , Dammam , on 21 October 2026 killed 2 people — including 1 Indian resident — and injured 8 others , including 2 Indian nationals .
24x7 control rooms are operational at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah .
Airport operations at Dammam have resumed and air traffic has returned to normal, according to GACA .
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday, 23 October 2026, confirmed that stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India safely, and that the remaining pilgrims are being actively assisted. Rijiju stressed that the government remains proactive in addressing the welfare of Indian citizens abroad, particularly in the wake of a terror attack on a key Saudi airport.
What Rijiju Said
In a post on X, Rijiju said: 'Govt is always proactive to the issues and concerns of Indian citizens. The stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India safely in addition to more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who have returned earlier. Remaining Umrah pilgrims are being assisted.' The minister also shared contact details for the 24x7 control rooms established at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah.
Scale of the Evacuation Effort
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), over the past week, approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have travelled from Saudi Arabia back to India on available flights. This is separate from the 10,000-plus regular Umrah pilgrims already booked on available flights who returned over the same period. The MEA noted that arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the earliest possible return of the remaining pilgrims, with the Embassy and Consulate — supported by community volunteers — extending all welfare assistance.
The Dammam Airport Attack
The pilgrims' situation was complicated by a deadly attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia on the evening of Wednesday, 21 October 2026. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed in a statement on X that the attack killed two people — one Saudi citizen and one Indian resident — and injured eight others, including two Indian nationals, two Yemeni, two Bangladeshi, and one Nepalese national, with injuries ranging from minor to critical. All injured are receiving medical care at hospitals.
Airport Operations and Safety Measures
The GACA stated it is working with relevant authorities to complete a damage assessment, verify facility safety, and implement measures to secure Saudi Arabia's civil aviation infrastructure. Notably, airport operations at Dammam have since resumed and air traffic has returned to normal. On Thursday, the MEA had said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims.
What Happens Next
With the airport operational once again, further repatriation flights are expected to proceed. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah continue to operate round-the-clock control rooms to assist stranded nationals. The MEA is also issuing regular advisories for Indian citizens in the region as the security situation is assessed.
Point of View
000 Umrah pilgrims within a week is a logistical success for Indian diplomatic missions, but the attack on Dammam's King Fahd Airport signals a sharply elevated security environment for Indian nationals in the Gulf. The death of one Indian resident and injury of two others in a civilian aviation facility — not a conflict zone — deserves more scrutiny than routine crisis-management messaging provides. India has a diaspora of nearly 2.5 million in Saudi Arabia alone, making the Gulf's security architecture directly relevant to New Delhi's foreign policy calculus. The government's proactive posture is commendable, but the focus must now shift to understanding the nature of the Dammam attack and its implications for ongoing pilgrimage and travel advisories.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Have the stranded Umrah pilgrims from India returned safely?
Yes. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed on 23 October 2026 that the stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India safely. Over 3,000 stranded pilgrims were evacuated in the past week, with more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims also returning via available flights.
What happened at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam?
An attack targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on the evening of 21 October 2026. Saudi Arabia's GACA confirmed 2 fatalities — 1 Saudi citizen and 1 Indian resident — and 8 injuries, including 2 Indian nationals. Airport operations have since resumed.
What is the Indian government doing for remaining pilgrims in Saudi Arabia?
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are actively engaging with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the earliest return of remaining pilgrims. Round-the-clock 24x7 control rooms have been set up, and community volunteers are providing welfare support on the ground.
How many Indian pilgrims were affected by the disruptions in Saudi Arabia?
Approximately 3,000 pilgrims were stranded and evacuated over the past week. An additional 10,000-plus regular Umrah pilgrims with pre-booked flights also returned to India during the same period. The remaining affected pilgrims are being assisted by Indian diplomatic missions.
Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah currently?
Airport operations at Dammam's King Fahd International Airport have resumed and air traffic has returned to normal, according to GACA. However, the Ministry of External Affairs is issuing regular advisories for Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia, and travellers are urged to monitor official updates before departure.
