Dubai | An Indian national was killed and several others injured in an attack that targeted Kuwait International Airport, officials said on Wednesday.
In a post on X, the Embassy of India in Kuwait said it is "closely coordinating" with the Kuwaiti authorities to extend all possible support and assistance to the bereaved family as well as those injured in the incident.
"Embassy of India in Kuwait expresses its deepest condolences at the tragic demise of an Indian national due to an attack on the airport in Kuwait today," it said.
This latest death brings the total number of Indian fatalities to at least 10 since hostilities broke out between Iran and the US on February 28.
The attack came amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
In a statement, the Kuwait Army said the Iranian strikes resulted in the death of an Indian expatriate and injuries to several individuals.
"We extend our sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of the deceased and his relatives, and we wish a speedy recovery to all the injured," said Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, the official spokesman of the Ministry of Defence.
Earlier, an Indian national was killed in Kuwait in Iranian strikes on a power and water desalination plant on March 30.
Kuwaiti Interior Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Nasser Bousleeb said that the passenger terminal (T1) at the airport was subjected to an attack by several hostile drones.
"The attack resulted in the death of one traveller and injuries to several workers and travellers," he said, adding that the airport's facilities and operational infrastructure suffered serious material damage.
Kuwait suspended air traffic on Wednesday after the Iranian strikes hit Terminal 1, causing casualties and damage to airport facilities, Directorate General of Civil Aviation spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi was quoted as saying by the state-run KUNA news agency.
Air traffic was suspended and flights were diverted to nearby airports until further notice, he said.
Dr Abdullah Al-Sund, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, said that seven hospitals have received 63 injured so far following the attack targeting the airport.
He added that seven cases have undergone urgent major surgical procedures, in addition to several minor surgeries.
Abdullah said that the injured included civilians, airport workers, and travellers.
The Kuwaiti foreign ministry later summoned the Charge d'Affaires at the Iranian Embassy and handed him an official protest note regarding the attacks.
Two members of the Iranian diplomatic mission have been declared persona non grata and asked to leave Kuwaiti territory within 24 hours, KUNA reported.
Last month, an Indian sailor was killed and several others injured after their wooden dhow caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.
In March, an Indian national died and another was injured by debris from the interception of a missile in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.
Another Indian national was killed in missile and drone attacks on the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh on March 18.
Two more Indians died in an attack on an industrial area in Oman on March 13, and three seafarers died in attacks on merchant vessels in the early days of the conflict.
One Indian citizen has also been reported missing.
Kozhikode/Kochi | An Air India Express aircraft bound for Kuwait returned to Kozhikode on Wednesday morning after the Gulf nation's airspace was closed following an attack at the airport, while another flight from Kochi to Bahrain was cancelled, sources said.
Sources said the airline is likely to suspend its services to Kuwait till June 6.
"As a result of the closure of Kuwait airspace, our Kuwait bound flight on 3 June returned to Kozhikode," the airline said in a statement.
The flight IX393 was operated with a Boeing 737 aircraft, which was diverted to Kozhikode after being airborne for over two hours, as per information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com.
The airline said passengers have been provided the option of complimentary rescheduling or a full refund on cancellation.
"We regret the inconvenience due to circumstances beyond our control," it said.
Details about the number of passengers could not be ascertained.
Meanwhile, another flight from Kochi to Bahrain, scheduled to depart at 11.45 am on Wednesday, was cancelled following the closure of Kuwait's airspace, a Kochi airport official said.
A total of 119 passengers who had already checked in were offloaded and sent back after the Flight IX 439 was called off, he said.