World
Attack at Riyadh airport results in 12 deaths and over 300 injuries
An explosion at Riyadh's international airport in Saudi Arabia has led to at least 12 fatalities and over 300 injuries, according to Saudi authorities.
On Saturday, a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, resulted in at least 12 deaths and injuries to more than 300, as reported by Saudi civil aviation authorities. This attack is considered a significant escalation in the Houthi campaign against Saudi Arabia, marking the third attack on the airport this week.
Among the deceased are four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, one U.S. citizen, one Jordanian, one Palestinian, one Syrian, one Sudanese, and one Egyptian. The list of the injured includes several individuals in critical condition, prompting health authorities to issue an emergency call for medical personnel, according to medical sources.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing an explosion and described a situation of panic inside the passenger terminal. Some areas of the airport were evacuated, and over a dozen ambulances were seen arriving to assist the wounded. Operations at the airport were suspended immediately after the attack.
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed militant group from Yemen, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a diplomatic source, although Saudi authorities initially did not confirm the nature of the attack. Flight operations were halted, and several countries issued recommendations to avoid the airport.
This was the deadliest incident recorded at Riyadh airport since the escalation of attacks in the region, which have raised growing concerns among various global governments. An airport official confirmed that the explosion was caused by a missile that struck the boarding area.
Local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, and an investigation into the attack is underway, focusing on the security of airport operations and the protection of passengers. The incident has raised claims that security at critical facilities in Saudi Arabia may need additional reinforcements. In response to the attack, several countries are advising their citizens to avoid areas around the airport.