Bloodied passengers, panic and screams: Survivors recall Riyadh airport strike

Passengers and travelers at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport were caught in a deadly missile strike, recounting scenes of panic, bloodshed, and confusion as attacks linked to Iran-backed Houthi rebels escalated across Saudi Arabia. Survivors described hearing a powerful explosion, witnessing severely injured individuals, and desperately seeking safety amid airport sirens.

The attack on Saturday claimed 12 lives and left around 300 others injured, some critically. The airport remained closed on Sunday after another projectile struck a passenger terminal, according to the Saudi-led coalition combating Houthi forces in Yemen.

A 32-year-old Riyadh resident recounted feeling the ground shake as a deafening explosion shattered the air at the airport. Alarm sirens erupted, triggering panic among passengers as people rushed from Terminal 3, some visibly covered in blood and with severe injuries like lost limbs. Security personnel led them to a lower floor, where they waited for about an hour before being permitted to leave.

Both survivors and doctors described the severity of the injuries, with patients suffering from limb amputations and glass embedded in their faces and eyes. At least four individuals experienced severe nervous breakdowns.

The attacks have disrupted air travel, leaving stranded passengers at the airport, including an Indian family that spent the night on the floor and chairs due to a diverted flight. They had no information from their airline and lost their luggage. Another traveler reported a sudden turnback of their plane to Jeddah, causing widespread fear and ruling out future flights within Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the Riyadh airport strike and other assaults on Saudi targets. They warned passengers and workers against using Saudi airports and airspace, citing vulnerability to attack. The ongoing conflict in Yemen and the broader Middle East has raised concerns about the security of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping route, potentially affecting oil shipments from the Persian Gulf.