Multiple people wounded in blast at Riyadh airport, say eyewitnesses
A powerful blast struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, wounding multiple people and forcing the evacuation of travelers from parts of the facility. Eyewitnesses reported seeing an explosion followed by injured individuals lying on the ground. The incident resulted in significant disruption to regional aviation, with carriers such as Kuwait Airways, Etihad, and Qatar suspending services due to security concerns. Flights were diverted or cancelled as explosions rocked the Saudi capital amid a sharp escalation in attacks linked to Yemen's Houthi movement.
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- ✓ Many people were wounded in a blast at Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, according to two eyewitnesses and two people briefed on the matter.
- ✓ Travelers were evacuated from parts of the facility following the explosion.
- ✓ Airlines including Kuwait Airways, Etihad, and Qatar suspended services due to the security situation.
- ✓ Yemeni Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia escalated this week, with strikes killing people and damaging planes.
What changed
A missile struck a passenger terminal at Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, causing multiple injuries and triggering widespread flight cancellations and evacuations.
Live updates
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Blast at Riyadh Airport Wounds Multiple People
A powerful blast struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, wounding multiple people and forcing the evacuation of travelers from parts of the facility. Eyewitnesses reported seeing an explosion followed by injured individuals lying on the ground. The incident resulted in significant disruption to regional aviation, with carriers such as Kuwait Airways, Etihad, and Qatar suspending services due to security concerns. Flights were diverted or cancelled as explosions rocked the Saudi capital amid a sharp escalation in attacks linked to Yemen's Houthi movement.
Why it matters
The strike on the Saudi capital's aviation hub marks a severe escalation in the ongoing conflict between Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition. Initial probes indicate that the attackers utilized a coordinated barrage of drones followed by cruise and ballistic missiles to penetrate the capital's defenses. Saudi health officials activated a rare mass call-up of doctors to manage the influx of casualties from the terminal.
What is confirmed
- Many people were wounded in a blast at Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, according to two eyewitnesses and two people briefed on the matter.
- Travelers were evacuated from parts of the facility following the explosion.
- Airlines including Kuwait Airways, Etihad, and Qatar suspended services due to the security situation.
- Yemeni Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia escalated this week, with strikes killing people and damaging planes.
- Initial probes showed that Yemen's Houthis first fired multiple drones to pave the way for a mix of cruise and ballistic missiles to reach King Khalid International Airport.
Still unconfirmed
- Dozens were reported injured in the Yemeni Houthi attack at Riyadh airport.
- Four people were killed by Houthi missile strikes on Saudi Arabia this week.
What to watch next
- Results of the Saudi investigation into how defense systems failed to stop the attack
- Further announcements from international carriers regarding the duration of flight suspensions to Riyadh
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (22)
- www.cnn.com — Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN
- CBS News — Live Updates: Iran's Houthi allies kill 3 in strike on Saudi airport as Trump rules out pre-midterms strikes
- Fox News — Attacks on airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia leave 3 dead as Iran-backed Houthis escalate conflict
- WSJ — Houthis Bombard Saudi Air Links in Effort to Cut Kingdom Off From Rest of World
- Reuters — Multiple people wounded in blast at Riyadh airport, say eyewitnesses
- WSJ — Iran-Backed Houthis Hit Saudi Capital’s Airport in Damaging New Attack
- NBC News — Riyadh airport attacked again and evacuated as explosions rock the Saudi capital
- www.cnbc.com — The airport in the Saudi capital has been attacked again ...
- BBC — Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has come under another attack, reports say
- The Guardian — Dozens reported injured in Yemeni Houthi attack at Riyadh airport
- www.cbsnews.com — Houthis issue new threat against Saudi airspace after deadly ...
- www.pbs.org — Saudis probe how defense systems failed to stop deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh airport
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