Missile Reportedly Hits Riyadh Airport Passenger Terminal; Several Injured as Flights Disrupted
A missile reportedly struck a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, October 10, injuring several people and triggering evacuations, according to reports by international news agencies.
Two regional officials told The Associated Press that the missile hit a passenger terminal and that many people were wounded. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly. Reuters separately reported that eyewitnesses saw an explosion and injured people inside the airport.
Ambulances were seen heading towards the airport as passengers were evacuated from parts of the facility. The incident added to growing concerns about aviation safety in Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional hostilities.
At the time of the initial reports, Saudi authorities had not publicly confirmed all the details of the latest incident, including the full number of casualties.
Flights Diverted as Airport Operations Disrupted
The reported strike disrupted air traffic at Riyadh’s main international airport. Flight-tracking information showed incoming flights being diverted or cancelled, while airlines issued cancellation notices and urged passengers to check their flight status before travelling.
Kuwait Airways announced cancellations affecting services to and from Riyadh because of the airport closure and security situation. Other carriers have also adjusted services to Saudi Arabia amid the wider security concerns.
The disruption could affect international travellers connecting through Riyadh, as well as passengers travelling between Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.
Travellers have been advised to follow airline announcements and official airport guidance rather than proceeding to the terminal without checking their flight status.
Latest Incident Follows Earlier Deadly Airport Attacks
The reported Saturday strike came just two days after attacks on Riyadh airport on October 8. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said those earlier attacks killed three Saudi citizens, including Saudia airline captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, and injured several other people.
The earlier incidents also damaged airport property and a Saudia aircraft. Airport operations resumed after the attacks, but airlines continued to face disruption as security concerns intensified.
The latest reported incident has raised further questions about the safety of civilian aviation facilities as the conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement escalates.
Rising Tensions Between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis
The airport incidents have occurred amid an intensifying military confrontation involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on Saudi targets, according to media reports. However, responsibility for the latest reported terminal strike had not been independently established in the initial accounts.
Saudi Arabia has carried out military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen as fighting has intensified. The exchanges have increased the risk to civilian infrastructure, including airports and other facilities used by travellers and commercial operators.
The conflict also has wider regional implications because Saudi Arabia is a major aviation hub and an important energy producer. Continued attacks or airspace restrictions could affect passenger travel, cargo movements and business activity.
Travellers Urged to Check Official Advisories
The reported strike highlights the risks facing civilian aviation during periods of military escalation. Airport authorities and airlines may change schedules rapidly in response to security threats, even when the extent of damage or the circumstances of an incident remain unclear.
Passengers travelling to or through Riyadh should confirm their flight directly with their airline and monitor airport notices and government travel advisories. They should avoid relying on unverified social media videos or claims about the attack.
Further information about injuries, damage and the circumstances of the reported strike will depend on statements from Saudi authorities and subsequent verified reporting.