Sitapur youth killed in missile strike in Riyadh, claims family

Lucknow: A Sitapur family has claimed that their 26-year-old son was allegedly killed in a missile strike in Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh amid the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict. The news about Ravi Gopal's death has left his family devastated and they have sought urgent assistance from govt to bring his body back to India. Sitapur dist administration, however, is yet to get any official information about the incident.A resident of Baghain village under Mahmoodabad police station limits, Ravi Gopal had been working in Riyadh since Sept 18, 2025. He was employed at a plastic factory in the Saudi capital and was the sole breadwinner of his family.Family members said that the incident took place on the night of March 18 while Ravi was speaking to his wife over the phone. "He called around 8:20 pm (Indian time) and was talking normally. After some time the call suddenly disconnected. We heard a loud explosion in the background before the phone went dead," said his elder brother Manmohan.The family's repeated attempts to contact Ravi failed as his phone remained switched off. The next day, on March 19, a friend informed the family that Ravi had been killed in a missile attack in Riyadh. The news left the family in utter shock.Ravi is survived by his father Ravneet, mother Baijanti, wife Ritu, and a four-year-old son. His brother works in Lucknow and supports his own family, while Ravi was the primary earning member of his household.Family members said Ravi had first gone to Saudi Arabia after his marriage in 2020 and returned briefly in 2025 for his sister's wedding before leaving again for work.The grieving family has appealed to the government for assistance in bringing Ravi's body back to India.Sitapur DM Rajaganapathy R told TOI that the administration does not have any official confirmation of Ravi's death in Riyadh due to a missile attack. "We have asked the family to give us details in writing which will be forwarded to the govt and further to the embassy of Saudi Arabia," he said.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with EId ul fitr 2026 wishes, messages and quotes !