The number of Indians who committed suicide in Oman went up in 2012, with as many as 60 such cases being reported from across the country, embassy officials have said. According to the embassy records, the number was 54 in 2011. "More than 550 Indians lost their lives in Oman last year. Some deaths were attributed to suicides, road accidents, drowning and murder while others died of natural deaths," the embassy officials were quoted by Times of Oman as saying.

The issue of large number of suicides in Oman was raised in Rajya Sabha in August last year when MPs wanted to know if the government had taken steps to find out the reasons behind rising cases of suicides among Indians in Oman.

A dedicated community welfare wing was then set up to look after welfare of the Indian community in the country and also caters to the needs of distressed Indians.