Stranded Umrah Pilgrims Back in India, Says Rijiju; MEA Says About 3,000 Flew Home in a Week
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that the government remains proactive on the concerns of Indian citizens, and that stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned safely to India, with help continuing for those who are still waiting.
“The government is always proactive on the issues and concerns of Indian citizens,” Rijiju wrote on X. “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 NUMBERS
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said about 3,000 stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia over the past week, through coordination between Indian missions, airlines and tour operators. Over the same period, more than 10,000 regularly scheduled pilgrims also flew back. Authorities are working to bring the rest home at the earliest.
Losing Memory
16 Oct 2026 - Vol 05 | Issue 42
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MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are working with airlines and tour operators to speed up the return of those affected, and that arrangements are being discussed to bring the remaining pilgrims back “at the earliest.”
SUPPORT ON THE GROUND
Jaiswal said 24-hour control rooms have been set up at both missions, with help from community volunteers and regular advisories to Indian nationals. Rijiju shared the contact details:
Embassy of India, Riyadh: +966-554412016 and +966-542126784. The toll-free number, 8002471234, works for calls within Saudi Arabia, and WhatsApp messages can be sent to +966-536216082.
Consulate General of India, Jeddah: +966-12-2614093 and +966-556122301, with WhatsApp on +966-536209704.
AN INDIAN AMONG THE DEAD IN DAMMAM
On Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said that Saudi authorities had informed it that one Indian national was among two people killed in the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday evening, and that two other Indians were injured. The embassy said it is ascertaining further details and contacting the affected families, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Saudi authorities have said investigations and damage assessments are continuing, with security agencies coordinating measures to keep airport operations and staff safe.
With inputs from ANI