Several people have reportedly been injured following an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, forcing authorities to suspend flight operations temporarily.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the incident on Saturday, October 10, 2026, saying emergency officials were assessing the damage and working to establish the exact number of casualties.
According to reports by Reuters, witnesses heard an explosion inside the airport, while several injured people were seen lying on the ground.
One traveller said they saw an object moving across the sky shortly before part of the ceiling near a departure gate collapsed.
Emergency services reportedly deployed more than a dozen ambulances to the airport to evacuate the injured and provide medical assistance.
The incident prompted airport authorities to suspend operations while relevant agencies assessed the damage and determined whether the facilities were safe for use.
The disruption affected air travel, with flight-tracking data reportedly showing diversions and cancellations. International carriers, including Kuwait Airways, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, also announced cancellations affecting flights to Riyadh.
Houthi Attacks Raise Security Concerns
Although Saudi authorities had not immediately identified those responsible for Saturday’s incident, the attack occurred amid escalating hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
The Houthis have reportedly intensified missile attacks in the region and warned airlines against using Saudi airspace, raising concerns about the safety of civilian aviation.
King Khalid International Airport had reportedly been targeted earlier in the week. Saudi authorities said attacks on Thursday killed three Saudi citizens, including Saudia airline pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, while several other people of different nationalities sustained injuries.
The earlier strikes also reportedly damaged an aircraft belonging to Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia.
The latest incident has heightened concerns about the potential impact of the escalating hostilities on regional air transport, passenger safety and international flight operations.
US and Other Countries Issue Security Advisories
The United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada reportedly issued security advisories urging their citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas amid the heightened security concerns.
US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to participate in Saudi military operations against the Houthis following the latest incident.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the administration would assess the situation before making a decision.
“We may. We’re going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack, so we’ll make a decision. We move very quickly,” he said.
His comments came as concerns grew over the possibility of further military escalation in the region.
Riyadh Events to Proceed Despite Security Concerns
Despite the airport incident and the heightened security situation, organisers of major energy and investment conferences scheduled to take place in Riyadh reportedly said the events would proceed as planned.
Authorities continued to assess the situation at King Khalid International Airport, with further information expected as investigations progressed.
The incident underscores growing concerns about the safety of civilian infrastructure and the potential for further disruption to air travel as tensions involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis escalate.
