Govind Tekale
If you have a flight through Riyadh, or a relative is flying in, your first question is simple: is it safe to travel? Saudi aviation authorities have reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries from an attack on King Khalid International Airport. Operations at the airport were suspended after the attack, and the closure was extended on Sunday, 11 October. This article separates what is confirmed from what is still being reported.
An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, 10 October killed 12 people and injured 309, according to a statement from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), as reported by the Saudi Gazette. Major outlets including Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, CBS News and ABC News reported the attack and its immediate aftermath. GACA confirmed that the dead included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Some of the injured are in critical condition.
Travelers should check their flight status with the airline and the airport before leaving for the airport. Do not rely on casualty posts or unverified claims. Check the airline and airport for any security or schedule notices. Operations were suspended and the closure was extended, and the sources reviewed did not give a reopening date.
What is confirmed and what is not
The casualty figures come from an official Saudi aviation statement. Responsibility is different. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has blamed the Houthis for the attack, while CBS News reports that the Houthis have not claimed responsibility. This article does not independently establish responsibility. No source reviewed for this draft establishes a definitive perpetrator. Treat any single attribution with caution until Saudi authorities or a court make a formal finding.
Reports say the United States is considering its response after the attack. This draft has not confirmed an announced US military action. Watch for official statements from the White House and the State Department.
If you are booking travel through Riyadh, check your airline's travel alert page, the airport's official accounts, and your government's travel advice.
