The explosion at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday afternoon killed at least 12 people and injured a further 309, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The airport remains closed until further notice.
“King Khalid International Airport was targeted by an attack, amid continued attacks targeting civilian aviation facilities in the kingdom,” the General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
“The attack resulted in 12 fatalities”, leaving 309 injured.
AnewZ’s special correspondent Sabir Safarov in Riyadh has provided footage from the scene. The footage has been used by major international media outlets, including the BBC and Al Jazeera.
The incident comes amid a heightened security situation following recent attacks claimed by the Houthis, with airport facilities and civilian aviation increasingly caught up in the wider conflict.
On 8 October, two attacks reportedly targeted airport infrastructure and an aircraft belonging to Saudi Arabia’s national carrier. Saudi aviation authorities said three Saudi citizens were killed, including a pilot.
The attacks also triggered widespread disruption to air travel, with nearly 300 scheduled arrivals and departures cancelled or unable to operate on Thursday. Several international airlines have since suspended flights to Riyadh amid growing concerns over the security situation.
The risks extend beyond Saudi Arabia. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has expanded its warnings about the dangers of operating flights through Saudi airspace, reflecting growing unease about the regional conflict's potential impact on commercial aviation.
Several Western diplomatic missions in Riyadh, including those representing Germany, the United States, Canada and Spain, advised their nationals to stay away from the airport.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States will soon decide on joining Saudi Arabia in striking Houthis.
“We may. We're going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack, so we'll make a decision,” Trump said. “We move very quickly.”
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