Saudi authorities report 12 killed, 309 injured in Riyadh airport attack
In short
Saudi aviation authorities reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries after an October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, South Korean outlets reported. The Houthis claimed responsibility, airport operations were temporarily suspended, and US President Donald Trump said he would consider participation in Saudi military action against the group.
Read the full story 2 min read
Saudi aviation authorities said 12 people were killed and 309 injured when King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked on October 10, according to South Korean reports. The General Authority of Civil Aviation identified the dead as four Saudis, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each of the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt. Newsis reported that injured people were being treated in several hospitals and that some were in very serious condition. Earlier reports described dozens of injuries before the later casualty figures were released. [ 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]
The authority temporarily suspended airport operations to assess damage and conduct safety checks, the reports said. Korea Economic Daily, citing Flightradar24, said flights bound for Riyadh were diverted or cancelled. Kuwait Airways, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways also cancelled services, with some suspensions expected to continue through October 12. The newspaper cited a Wall Street Journal report that a missile struck facilities containing terminals 3 and 4, and quoted an injured person's account that part of a ceiling near boarding gates collapsed. [ 7 , 8 , 11 ]
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the Riyadh attack. Korea Economic Daily and Seoul Shinmun cited a senior Houthi official's comments to the New York Times describing it as retaliation for Saudi attacks on civilian infrastructure in Yemen. Trump was asked at the White House on October 10 whether the United States could participate in Saudi military action against the Houthis. He said it was possible and that he would consider the matter, according to the reports. [ 7 , 10 ]
The latest attack followed two strikes on King Khalid airport on October 8 that killed three Saudis, including a Saudia captain. In that earlier incident, the aviation authority said the first strike targeted airport facilities and the second a Saudia aircraft. Newsis reported the airline's statement that the damaged aircraft was stationary on the ground with no passengers aboard. Those three deaths were reported separately from the October 10 toll. [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The attack disrupted flights to Riyadh, with diversions and cancellations reported and some suspensions expected to continue through October 12. It followed earlier airport attacks and drew a Houthi claim of retaliation for Saudi strikes in Yemen.
Key facts
- The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation reported 12 people killed and 309 injured in the October 10 airport attack. [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]
- The reported dead included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each of the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt. [ 7 , 8 , 10 ]
- Airport operations were temporarily halted for damage assessments and safety checks. [ 7 , 8 ]
- The Houthis claimed the attack was retaliation for Saudi strikes on civilian infrastructure in Yemen. [ 7 , 10 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the United States will join Saudi military action against the Houthis remains undecided in the reports. Trump said participation was possible and that he would consider it; the documents report no decision.