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[INTERNATIONAL] · India, Saudi Arabia · 16 sources

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Part of situation: India-Saudi Arabia pilgrim travel disruptions (2 clusters)

Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia following airport attack and flight cancellations

Umrah pilgrims Saudi Arabia Ministry of External Affairs flight cancellations King Fahd International Airport

Thousands of Indian Umrah pilgrims are stranded in Saudi Arabia following an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and subsequent flight cancellations by major airlines. The attack resulted in the death of one Indian national and injured two others.

In response to the escalating security situation and regional tensions, airlines including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have suspended various services to Saudi Arabian cities. Air India and Air India Express have extended cancellations for Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, while services to Jeddah remain suspended until October 31. IndiGo has cancelled flights to Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until October 31.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is working with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the repatriation of citizens. Approximately 3,000 stranded pilgrims and over 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims have returned to India in the past week. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah have established 24/7 control rooms to provide assistance.

State leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, have sought urgent central intervention. Reports indicate that some stranded pilgrims, including over 600 from Karnataka, are facing hardships such as exhausted financial resources and difficulties securing food and accommodation. There are also allegations that some private tour operators are charging pilgrims extra fees for basic necessities.

Entities

DK Shivakumar · India · King Fahd International Airport · Kiren Rijiju · Ministry of External Affairs · Saudi Arabia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

उमराह के लिए गए तीर्थयात्री सुरक्षित भारत लौट आए - केन्द्रीय मंत्री किरेन रिजिजू [www.agniban.com]
Actively engaged to facilitate return of Indian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia: MEA [desitalkchicago.com]
'Ensure interim assistance to stranded Karnataka Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia': CM Shivakumar writes to EAM Jaishankar - Public TV English [english.publictv.in]
Stranded Umrah pilgrims returned safely to India, remaining being assisted: Kiren Rijiju [bhaskarlive.in]
CM Omar Abdullah expresses concern over J&K’s Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia [thekashmirimages.com]
Pakistan says human smugglers exploiting Umrah journeys amid evolving routes to Europe [www.arabnews.pk]
Minister Assures Support for Returning Umrah Pilgrims [www.chennaionline.com]
Hyderabad Umrah Pilgrims Stranded In Mecca As Flight Cancellations Trigger Extra Costs [indtoday.com]
World News | Actively Engaged to Facilitate Return of Indian Pilgrims from Saudi Arabia: MEA [www.latestly.com]
Karnataka Government Steps In to Assist Over 600 Umrah Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia [www.mangalorean.com]
Karnataka CM Seeks Urgent Repatriation for 600 Stranded Umrah Pilgrims [newsable.asianetnews.com]
Flights cancelled, extra charges: Hyderabad pilgrim highlights plight of Indians stranded in Mecca [newsmeter.in]
Over 600 Karnataka, 36 Kashmiri Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi [www.siasat.com]
Stranded Umrah Pilgrims Returning Safely to India, Others Being Assisted: Kiren Rijiju [yespunjab.com]
DK Shivakumar Seeks MEA Intervention to Repatriate over 600 Stranded Umrah Pilgrims [www.deccanchronicle.com]
Middle East Tensions Escalate: IndiGo, Air India take major decision; flights to Saudi Arabia cancelled until... [www.india.com]