Indian killed in Abu Dhabi after missile debris falls, toll rises to seven in West Asia conflict

An Indian citizen has died in Abu Dhabi after debris from a ballistic missile fell in the city, marking the seventh Indian fatality in the ongoing West Asia conflict, according to officials.

The incident occurred after a missile launched from Iran was intercepted by the United Arab Emirates’ air defence systems. However, fragments from the intercepted missile fell on Sweihan Street, leading to casualties on the ground.

Authorities confirmed that a Pakistani national was also killed in the incident, while three others sustained injuries. The injured individuals include people of Indian, Emirati and Jordanian nationalities, highlighting the widespread impact of the ongoing hostilities on civilians in the region.

With this latest death, the number of Indian nationals killed in the conflict has risen to seven. The fatalities have been reported across multiple countries in West Asia since the conflict escalated late last month. Earlier, an Indian citizen was killed in Saudi Arabia on March 20, while several others lost their lives in separate incidents including drone attacks and strikes on commercial vessels.

Indian authorities have been closely monitoring the situation, with diplomatic missions in countries such as Oman, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates coordinating with local governments to assist affected citizens. Efforts are also underway to locate a missing Indian national and facilitate the repatriation of those who have died.

The conflict in West Asia began on Feb 28 following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran across the Gulf region. Since then, several countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, have witnessed spillover effects of the hostilities.

With tensions showing little sign of easing, concerns are rising over the safety of millions of foreign workers in the Gulf, including a large Indian diaspora. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens and is continuing evacuation and assistance efforts where required.