1 hr ago
Blast at Riyadh Airport Prompts Evacuations and Flight Cancellations
A loud blast was reported at Riyadh’s airport on Saturday.
Some travellers were moved away from parts of the airport, and many ambulances arrived.
News reports said people were hurt, but they did not agree on how many.
Flights going to Riyadh were diverted or cancelled, and several airlines cancelled services.
The airport asked passengers to check with their airlines before travelling there.
The blast happened after earlier attacks on the airport that week.
Yemen’s Houthi group had warned airlines to stay away from Saudi airspace.
Organisers said planned energy and investment conferences would still go ahead.
Canada’s embassy told its citizens to avoid the airport.
A loud blast was reported at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Travellers were evacuated from parts of the airport, and more than a dozen ambulances were seen arriving; reports said people were injured, but the extent was unclear.
Flight-tracking data showed incoming flights diverted or cancelled, while Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways cancelled services.
The blast followed earlier attacks on the airport that week; reports differ on the death toll, with some citing four deaths and others three Saudi citizens killed.
Conference organisers said planned energy and investment events would proceed, while Canada’s embassy advised its citizens to avoid the airport.
- Who
- Travellers, airport responders and airlines were affected; reports attributed the wider attacks to Yemen’s Houthi group.
- What
- A blast was reported at the airport, prompting evacuations, emergency response and flight disruptions.
- Where
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Why
- The cause and responsibility for Saturday’s blast were not confirmed in the reports; it occurred amid escalating Houthi attacks and regional military activity.
Proceed with events
Security concerns
Riyadh conferences
Proceed with events
Organisers said the planned energy and investment conferences would proceed and sought to reassure attendees.
Security concerns
The airport blast, earlier attacks and travel disruptions highlighted security concerns; Canada’s embassy advised citizens to avoid the airport.
Use of Saudi airspace
Proceed with events
Airlines and airport authorities were advised to check flight status and manage travel disruptions through carriers.
Security concerns
The Houthis declared Saudi airspace a zone of military operations and warned airliners to avoid it; the European Union Aviation Safety Agency expanded its guidance over missile, drone and debris risks.
Key facts
- Airport
- King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
- Incident response
- Travellers were evacuated from parts of the facility; more than a dozen ambulances were seen arriving.
- Injuries
- Several reports said people were injured, but the number and severity were not confirmed.
- Flight disruption
- Flights to Riyadh were diverted or cancelled; Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways reported cancellations.
- Earlier attacks
- The airport had been attacked twice earlier that week. Reports differed on the death toll: some said four people died, while another cited three Saudi citizens.
- Conference plans
- Organisers said planned energy and investment conferences in Riyadh would proceed.
- Official response
- The Saudi government’s media office and civil aviation authority did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Quotes
Ahmed Sayed
A local resident who spoke to The Associated Press
“I heard at least two loud explosions that rocked the capital.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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