Hyderabad, October 12: A 46-year-old Hyderabad man, Mohammad Yousuf Ali, has died after being seriously injured in a reported missile attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His family members were also injured in the incident while preparing to travel during their Umrah trip.
Yousuf Ali, who had been working as a software engineer in Riyadh for around 10 years, had recently returned to Hyderabad to spend time with his family. After staying with his wife, Sameera, and their three children at their residence in Mehdipatnam, he travelled with them to Saudi Arabia on October 2.
According to Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, the family was at the airport on Saturday, waiting near a check-in kiosk at around 3 pm local time, when a projectile struck the area. The impact left Yousuf Ali and several members of his family seriously injured.
Yousuf Ali was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. According to an AIMIM spokesperson, doctors performed surgery and amputated both his legs because of the severity of his injuries. He later died on Sunday after suffering a massive heart attack while undergoing treatment.
Children and aunt among the injured
Yousuf Ali's two sons also sustained injuries in the incident. His son Amaan suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery, while his other son, Wasey, is receiving treatment for a leg injury. Owaisi said that three of Wasey's toes had been severed.
The victim's wife, Sameera, and daughter, Maryam, escaped without injuries. His aunt, Atiya Sultana, sustained head injuries and was receiving medical treatment. According to the information shared by Owaisi, she was believed to be out of danger.
The incident has left the family facing a difficult situation, with the death of Yousuf Ali and the injuries sustained by several relatives during what was intended to be a religious journey.
Owaisi seeks assistance from Centre
Asaduddin Owaisi said he was in contact with Yousuf Ali's brother-in-law in Riyadh and had spoken to the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy regarding the matter.
In a post on X, Owaisi urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to intervene and ensure that the affected family received all possible assistance.
He also requested immediate attention to the family's circumstances and the provision of necessary support.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of Indian nationals caught up in the escalating security situation in West Asia. However, the circumstances surrounding the projectile strike, including responsibility for the attack, were not established in the report.
The family is now dealing with the loss of Yousuf Ali while his injured relatives continue to receive treatment. Owaisi's appeal has placed the focus on the assistance that Indian diplomatic authorities can provide to the family in Saudi Arabia.
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