RIYADH — Two Bangladeshi nationals were killed in a powerful explosion at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Saturday, according to diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Riyadh. Several other people were reportedly killed or injured in the incident.
The explosion occurred at around 11:00 am local time on October 10, prompting the evacuation of passengers from several sections of the airport, according to reports by Bangla Tribune.
The identities of the two deceased Bangladeshis have yet to be officially disclosed. Authorities are working to identify them and determine whether they were migrant workers or pilgrims travelling for Umrah.
According to sources cited in the report, a group of 41 Bangladeshi Umrah pilgrims was waiting at the airport to travel from Riyadh to Jeddah when the explosion shook the terminal building. The pilgrims were reportedly teachers at Jamia Arabia Rabiul Ulum, a madrasa in Dhaka’s Kamrangirchar area.
Sources quoted in the report said 11 people remained missing following the incident, raising concerns that the death toll could increase. The total number of casualties has not yet been independently verified.
Missile Strike Reportedly Targets Terminal 3
The Wall Street Journal, as cited by Bangla Tribune, reported that Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group carried out a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, with the missile reportedly striking Terminal 3 directly.
Saudi officials reportedly confirmed to the newspaper that the attack hit a major airport terminal. However, further independently verified details about the circumstances of the strike and the extent of the damage were not immediately available.
Reuters, citing eyewitness accounts, reported that several injured people were seen lying on the airport floor after the explosion. More than a dozen ambulances were also reportedly seen rushing towards the airport.
Passengers Evacuated as Casualty Concerns Grow
Passengers were evacuated from the airport following the explosion, according to the report. Details about the extent of structural damage, the status of flight operations and the identities of other victims remained unclear at the time of publication.
The incident has raised particular concern among Bangladeshi families following reports that a group of Umrah pilgrims from Dhaka was present at the airport when the explosion occurred.
Further confirmation from Saudi authorities regarding the casualties, the missing persons and the circumstances of the reported missile strike is awaited.
Note: The account above is based on the supplied Bangla Tribune report. Claims about responsibility for the attack, casualty figures and the identities of victims should be treated as provisional until independently verified.
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