A blast at Riyadh’s international airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, October 10, 2026, left multiple people wounded and prompted the evacuation of travellers from parts of the facility, according to eyewitnesses and people briefed on the incident.

The explosion comes amid escalating missile attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety and regional security. Reuters reported that more than a dozen ambulances were seen rushing to the airport following the blast. Official casualty figures for Saturday’s incident had not been confirmed in the initial reports.

Travellers Evacuated as Emergency Response Intensifies

An eyewitness said they saw an explosion followed by several injured people lying on the ground inside the airport. Travellers were evacuated from affected sections as emergency services responded.

Saudi Arabia’s government media office and civil aviation authority had not immediately responded to requests for comment, leaving key details about the cause of the latest blast and the extent of the damage unconfirmed.

Airlines Suspend Flights Amid Security Concerns

The incident triggered significant disruption to air travel in the Saudi capital. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed that flights heading to Riyadh had been diverted or cancelled.

Kuwait Airways announced cancellations of flights to and from Riyadh, citing the airport’s closure amid the security situation. Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways also cancelled multiple services, with some disruptions extending into Monday.

Airport authorities urged passengers to contact their airlines directly and check their flight status before travelling to the facility.

Latest Blast Follows Deadly Attacks

Saturday’s explosion follows two attacks on Riyadh’s airport earlier in the week that left four people dead, wounded others and badly damaged a Saudia Airlines aircraft.

The renewed attacks come as the conflict involving the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces intensifies. The Houthis have warned airlines against flying through Saudi airspace, describing it as a zone of military operations following a new offensive by Yemeni government forces.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of civilian aviation and the potential economic consequences of continued attacks on Saudi infrastructure.

Major Riyadh Conferences Face Heightened Security Concerns

The airport disruption comes shortly before Riyadh is scheduled to host major energy and investment conferences. Organisers said the events would proceed as planned and sought to reassure participants about security arrangements.

As investigations and official updates remain pending, travellers have been advised to monitor airline announcements and airport communications for further information.

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