Several injured in attack on King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
A drone strike hit the arrivals hall of King Khalid International Airport at 2:15 a.m. local time, shattering a glass panel and causing 12 injuries. The blast occurred just minutes after a security checkpoint opened for the first morning flights. The incident underscores the growing volatility around Saudi airspace. Authorities are investigating the attack while airlines adjust schedules.
What Happened: The Attack on King Khalid International Airport
At 02:15 a.m. Riyadh time, a small unmanned aircraft released a high‑explosive payload into the arrivals hall of Terminal 2. The impact shattered a glass panel and set fire to a cluster of luggage, producing a shockwave that injured 12 passengers and 4 airport staff. Emergency responders arrived within 12 minutes and evacuated the area, treating victims for minor burns and blunt trauma. The Saudi Ministry of Interior confirmed that the attack was carried out by a drone and that the perpetrators remain unidentified. A forensic team from the Civil Aviation Authority began collecting debris at the scene. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh released a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing concern over the safety of U.S. citizens in the region. The incident is being investigated jointly by Saudi security forces and the airport’s security division, with a preliminary report expected within 48 hours. Source: Reuters, 08:42 a.m. Riyadh time, 12
Despite being a relatively low‑tech weapon, a single commercial‑grade drone can cause more economic disruption to a major airport than a conventional missile because it forces widespread flight cancellations and triggers costly security overhauls.
