India asks its nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow safety directives amid security concerns

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has asked Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow the latest emergency instructions issued by local authorities, including taking shelter indoors when warning alerts are received.

The guidance comes amid heightened security concerns following drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia. A strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed an Indian national and injured several others.

The instructions, issued through Saudi Arabia’s National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies and shared on social media, tell people to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place inside a building when an alert is received. An interior room away from windows is recommended until the danger has passed. People have been advised to remain indoors, stay away from windows and glass, and avoid balconies, rooftops and open areas. Those who are outside when an alert arrives should enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a solid barrier. The guidance also asks people to avoid crowds and dangerous locations and refrain from taking photographs.


Also read: India condemns attacks on Abha, King Khalid airports, stands with Saudi Arabia: MEA

Emergency numbers and safety instructions

Saudi authorities have advised motorists who receive an alert while driving to pull over safely, keeping away from bridges and high-rise buildings. People facing a threat or immediate danger can call 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province. The emergency number for other parts of Saudi Arabia is 998. Indian nationals have been asked to follow directions issued by the relevant Saudi authorities through official channels.

Also read: Makkah Control Room established for Indian Umrah pilgrims amid Saudi flight disruptions

Embassy reiterates safety advice after attack

The latest guidance follows an earlier advisory issued by the Indian Embassy after the October 10 attack on Riyadh airport. The Embassy had urged Indian nationals to comply with local authorities’ instructions, stay indoors during aerial attacks and refrain from filming, publishing or sharing information, photographs or videos related to the ongoing security situation. The death of an Indian national in the airport strike has heightened concerns for Indians living and working in Saudi Arabia.

Indian nationals in the country should monitor official announcements, follow emergency instructions promptly and avoid circulating unverified information about security incidents.