Five Indian nationals were among 12 people injured by debris after air defense systems intercepted projectiles in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, with authorities saying they sustained minor to moderate injuries.
The incident occurred in the Ajban area of Abu Dhabi, following what the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the media arm of the local government, described as a “successful interception of air defense systems.” A statement said that the authorities confirmed that the accident resulted in “minor to moderate injuries” to five Indian and six Nepalese citizens. The reading said another Nepalese citizen was seriously injured.
There was no official comment from the Indian side regarding the incident. The UAE is home to nearly four million of the 10 million Indians living in West Asian countries.
Since military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28 ignited conflict in West Asia, eight Indians have been killed and dozens injured in countries across the region.
An Indian citizen died in an Iranian attack on a power and desalination plant in Kuwait on March 29, while another Indian was killed by debris from a missile interception in Abu Dhabi on March 26.
An Indian citizen was killed in missile and drone attacks on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on March 18, and two Indians were killed in an attack on an industrial zone in Amman on March 13. Three sailors died in attacks on merchant ships in the early days of the conflict, while an Indian national was reported missing.
There is no official count of the number of Indians injured, and officials said that dozens, including workers and sailors, were injured in attacks in several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Iraq.
The Indian government, in its communication with the leadership of West Asian countries, has focused on the safety and security of the ten million Indians living in the region.
