{
  "id": 8467334,
  "title": "Flames and large plume of black smoke seen rising near Riyadh airport",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-and-large-plume-of-black-smoke-seen-rising-near-riyadh-airport",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T13:25:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/flames-and-large-plume-of-black-smoke-seen-rising-near-riyadh-airport/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Near Riyadh's primary airport on Saturday, a significant plume of smoke was observed, accompanied by explosions that prompted Saudi Arabia to issue alerts overnight regarding possible danger in the capital and the nearby city of Al-Kharj, east of the capital. However, Saudi civil defense later declared an all-clear on Saturday morning. Witnesses in Riyadh's Olaya area reported hearing explosions prior to the all-clear message. It is noteworthy that such alerts have been issued in Riyadh prior to the current escalation, but this marks the first occurrence since the surge in attacks by Yemen's Houthi group in July. The Houthis, who hold control over most of Yemen's population and northern regions, have been conducting assaults on Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade against the kingdom in July. Their strikes have targeted Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, posing a threat to global oil supplies and jeopardizing the Red Sea alternative route for Gulf exports. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains under blockade.",
  "summary": "Saudi civil defense sent the alerts by phone overnight for potential danger in Riyadh.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 13,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Large plume of black smoke seen near Riyadh airport, Reuters reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/large-plume-of-black-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-reuters-reports",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:07:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Flames, black smoke spotted near Riyadh airport, eyewitness reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-black-smoke-spotted-near-riyadh-airport-eyewitness-reports",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:16:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Flames, huge plume of black smoke seen near Riyadh airport amid Houthi strikes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-huge-plume-of-black-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-amid-houthi",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:25:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Black smoke, flames rising near Riyadh airport: residents to AFP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/black-smoke-flames-rising-near-riyadh-airport-residents-to-afp",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:30:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Saudi's Riyadh airport, several flights cancelled after 'major problems': Reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-saudis-riyadh-airport-several-flights",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:51:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "'Major problems' at Riyadh airport, with flights cancelled, delayed: Flightradar24",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/major-problems-at-riyadh-airport-with-flights-cancelled-delayed",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:56:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Flightradar24: ’Major problems’ at Riyadh airport, with flights cancelled, delayed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flightradar24-major-problems-at-riyadh-airport-with-flights-cancelled",
        "published": "2026-09-19T12:04:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi warning of aerial attack threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-after-saudi-warning-of-aerial",
        "published": "2026-09-19T12:06:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Flames and smoke seen near Riyadh airport after warnings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-and-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-after-warnings",
        "published": "2026-09-19T12:12:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Smoke, flames seen near Riyadh airport, ‘major’ flight disruptions reported",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/smoke-flames-seen-near-riyadh-airport-major-flight-disruptions",
        "published": "2026-09-19T12:53:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi warning of aerial attack threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-after-saudi-warning-of-aerial-8470403",
        "published": "2026-09-19T13:33:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi warning of aerial attack threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-after-saudi-warning-of-aerial-8477676",
        "published": "2026-09-19T14:33:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}