Several people were injured in an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, prompting operations to be suspended and flights cancelled.
RIYADH: Several people were injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital on Saturday, October 10, prompting authorities to suspend airport operations.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said officials were assessing the damage and determining the number of people injured. Operations were halted while authorities checked the safety of airport facilities. The statement did not identify those responsible or specify the weapons used.
An eyewitness told Reuters they saw an explosion followed by people lying injured inside the airport. More than a dozen ambulances were seen approaching the facility. Another traveller described part of a ceiling collapsing near a departure gate. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday’s attack.
Airlines Cancel Flights, Embassies Issue Warnings
Kuwait Airways cancelled services to and from Riyadh, citing the airport’s closure. Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways also cancelled multiple flights, with some cancellations extending into Monday.
The US Embassy advised Americans to avoid the airport and surrounding areas. British, Irish and Canadian diplomatic missions also issued alerts about the incident and disruption to travel.
The attack follows earlier strikes on the airport claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement. However, responsibility for the latest incident remained unconfirmed in the available reporting.
Passengers were urged to contact their airlines and check flight status before travelling to the airport. Saudi diplomatic missions were also asked to assist citizens whose journeys to the kingdom had been disrupted.
About the Author
