Fresh Blast Reported at Riyadh Airport, Passengers Evacuated
Flights Diverted, Cancelled Amid Escalating Attacks on Saudi Capital
Riyadh, Oct 10: A fresh explosion was reported at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of passengers from parts of the facility and triggering further disruption to air traffic amid escalating security concerns.
According to Reuters, more than a dozen ambulances were seen rushing to the airport following the blast, which was reported by an eyewitness and people briefed on the incident. The cause of Saturday’s explosion and the extent of any damage or casualties had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
The latest incident comes days after missile attacks targeted the airport, killing people and damaging an aircraft belonging to Saudi national carrier Saudia. Saudi aviation authorities said three Saudi citizens, including an airline pilot, were killed in the attacks reported on Thursday, while several others were injured.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group has claimed responsibility for previous attacks on Saudi targets. However, there was no immediate official confirmation linking Saturday’s blast to a fresh Houthi strike.
The latest incident further heightened concerns over aviation safety in the region, with flight-tracking data indicating that flights bound for Riyadh were being diverted or cancelled. Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways also cancelled multiple services connecting Riyadh with their respective hubs, with some cancellations extending into Monday.
The Riyadh airport authorities urged passengers to contact their airlines and check flight status before travelling to the airport.
The attacks come amid an intensification of the conflict involving the Houthis and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government, with the latest developments raising concerns over the security of civilian aviation and regional travel.
Despite the disruption, organisers of major energy and investment conferences scheduled to take place in Riyadh said the events would proceed as planned, seeking to reassure international participants about security arrangements.
