Two Bangladeshi nationals were among 12 people killed in a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, October 10. The attack also injured 309 people, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of civilians and international air travel as attacks on Saudi airports intensify. The victims included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Several injured people were reported to be in critical condition.
Saudi authorities said the injured were receiving medical treatment at hospitals. The attack also caused property damage, with officials assessing the full extent of the destruction.
Houthis Blamed for Deadly Riyadh Airport Attack
The Saudi-led coalition blamed Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group for the attack, describing it as a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict. The incident came amid a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports and other facilities.
The latest strike was reported to be the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in more than a decade. It followed earlier attacks on airports in Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom during the same week.
The Houthis have intensified their attacks since a truce in their long-running conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognised government broke down. Saudi Arabia has supported the Yemeni government in the conflict.
The renewed violence has increased concerns about the security of civilian infrastructure, including airports, which are essential for international travel and trade.
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Airport Operations Disrupted After the Strike
The attack forced a temporary suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport as authorities assessed the damage and checked the safety of airport facilities.
The disruption affected passengers and airline schedules, with flights suspended or delayed. Travellers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates before travelling to the airport.
The incident has also raised concerns about the wider impact of escalating regional tensions on commercial aviation. Repeated attacks on airports could disrupt travel, affect foreign workers and create additional challenges for passengers travelling between Saudi Arabia and South Asia.
Bangladesh Seeks Details of Its Citizens Killed
Bangladesh has condemned the attack and confirmed that two of its nationals were killed. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Bangladeshi mission in Riyadh was maintaining contact with Saudi authorities to obtain further details about the victims and provide assistance to those affected.
Bangladeshi nationals make up a significant part of Saudi Arabia’s expatriate workforce. Incidents involving Bangladeshi citizens abroad often raise concerns about migrant workers’ safety, consular support and assistance for affected families.
Further details about the identities of the two deceased Bangladeshis and arrangements for their families had not been fully disclosed in the initial reports.
Rising Tensions Raise Concerns Across the Region
The Riyadh airport attack comes amid escalating hostilities involving the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. The latest incident has increased pressure on regional authorities to strengthen security around airports and other civilian facilities.
The attack also highlights the risks faced by international travellers and expatriate communities as the conflict spreads beyond Yemen’s borders.
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and respond to the aftermath of the strike. The incident is likely to intensify diplomatic and security discussions over the protection of civilians and the prevention of further attacks on critical infrastructure.
For Bangladesh, the deaths of two citizens underscore the human cost of the widening conflict and the importance of continued diplomatic engagement to protect its nationals working and living abroad.
