Chinese embassy advises against air travel in Saudi Arabia after Dammam airport attack
In short
China's embassy in Saudi Arabia advised Chinese citizens to avoid flying within Saudi Arabia for now. It cited a Saudi civil aviation announcement that King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was attacked on the evening of 21 October, leaving 1 dead and 8 injured.
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China's embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised Chinese citizens not to travel by air in Saudi Arabia for the time being. Yicai, Jiemian and China News Service reported the advice. China News Service said it came from the embassy's WeChat account. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the embassy, Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority announced in the early hours of 22 October that King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was attacked on the evening of Wednesday, 21 October. The attack has so far caused 1 death and 8 injuries, and material losses are still being assessed. Other official information said an airliner of Yading Airlines (亚丁航空) was damaged in the attack and one person aboard was injured. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The embassy said that in recent days airports and key facilities in Riyadh, Dammam and other places have continued to be hit by missiles and drones. It said there is no definite information on when Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and some airports in southern cities will resume operations, and that flights at airports in other cities are often widely disrupted. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The Chinese embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia again urged Chinese firms and citizens to raise their security awareness and cut non-essential outings. They also urged them to stay away from sensitive areas such as airports, oil facilities and military bases, and not to photograph military operations or sensitive facilities. Passengers who have already bought tickets were asked to stay in close contact with airlines and follow flight changes and airport conditions. In disputes, they should keep relevant evidence and seek redress rationally. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
People planning to enter or leave Saudi Arabia overland through a third country were told to check that country's entry rules and carry important documents, and to drive carefully on long journeys. Jiemian and China News Service also listed Saudi emergency numbers (police 999, or 911 in Riyadh, Mecca, Medina and the Eastern Province; traffic accidents 993; ambulance 997; fire 998), the foreign ministry's 24-hour consular hotline and the embassy's consular protection assistance number. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The embassy says airports and key facilities in Riyadh and Dammam have been hit repeatedly by missiles and drones in recent days. Flights at other cities' airports are often disrupted, which affects Chinese citizens and firms in the country.
Key facts
- Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority announced in the early hours of 22 October that King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was attacked on the evening of 21 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The attack has so far caused 1 death and 8 injuries; material losses are still being assessed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Another official report said an airliner of Yading Airlines (亚丁航空) was damaged in the attack and one person aboard was injured. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The embassy said airports and key facilities in Riyadh, Dammam and other places have been repeatedly hit by missiles and drones in recent days. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The embassy advised Chinese citizens not to travel by air in Saudi Arabia for the time being. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Chinese embassy in Saudi Arabia advised Chinese citizens to avoid air travel in Saudi Arabia for the time being. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- According to the embassy, Saudi civil aviation authority said Dammam's King Fahd International Airport was attacked on the evening of 21 October, with 1 dead and 8 injured. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Extent of material damage at Dammam airport The documents say losses are still being assessed.
- When Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and some southern airports will resume operations The embassy said there is no definite information on resumption.
- Damage to the Yading Airlines airliner The documents attribute it to unnamed 'other official information' and give no further detail beyond one injury aboard.