Tragic Attack at Riyadh Airport Claims Lives and Injures Many
Devastating Incident at King Khalid International Airport
Smoke rises from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. (Photo: @populergazete/X)
Cairo, Oct 11: A tragic attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and left 309 others injured, as reported by the country's civil aviation authority early Sunday. Many of the injured are in critical condition.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia confirmed that among the deceased were four Saudi citizens, two from Bangladesh, and one each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Sudan.
Those injured are currently receiving medical attention at various hospitals across the region.
This incident marks the latest in a series of attacks on King Khalid International Airport over the past week, prompting Saudi Arabia to seek increased military support from allies, including the United States.
India has condemned the attack, labeling the ongoing targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia as "completely unacceptable" and urging an immediate cessation of such actions.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed, "We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the heinous attack on October 10, which resulted in loss of life, injuries, and property damage." They extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Saudi authorities have attributed the attack to Iran-backed Houthi militants from Yemen.
The Houthis had previously claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on the airport that resulted in the deaths of three Saudi citizens, including a pilot. However, they have not yet claimed responsibility for the recent strike.
A missile targeted a complex that houses terminals 3 and 4, which are designated for domestic flights, according to a regional official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information.
The increase in attacks, which have also targeted other Saudi airports, military sites, and oil infrastructure, coincides with heightened tensions following a significant military offensive against the Houthis by a Saudi-led coalition.
There was no immediate response from the rebels regarding Saturday's airport attack. Earlier that day, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport, which is under their control.
This incident is reported to be one of the deadliest in the Gulf region since the onset of the Iran war, amidst escalating regional tensions involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-supported government forces.
AP