Watch: Moment missile hit Riyadh airport; 13 killed, including Indian national

A missile strike hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10. Passengers were inside the terminal, including Umrah pilgrims preparing to board flights. The incident shows how quickly an airport, normally associated with routine travel, can become dangerous during an armed conflict.

Footage released by Al Arabiya captured the moments around the impact. Debris reportedly struck Mohammed Yusuf, a 46-year-old Indian IT professional waiting near a check-in kiosk with his family. Yusuf later died in hospital. His wife and two children were also injured and reported to be in critical condition.

Saudi authorities said 13 people were killed and more than 300 injured. An Indian national was among the dead, while 11 Indians were injured. The airport later remained closed after another projectile struck a passenger terminal on Sunday, disrupting flights and affecting schools in Riyadh.

Saudi authorities reported 13 deaths and more than 300 injuries from the October 10 strike. The figures include passengers and other civilians caught inside the airport. The scale of the casualties highlights the risks created when attacks reach busy transport hubs filled with people from many countries.

The Indian embassy confirmed that one Indian national was killed and 11 Indians were injured. The dead Indian was identified as Mohammed Yusuf, a 46-year-old IT professional from Hyderabad. Saudi civil aviation authorities identified the other victims as four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, and one person each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Sudan.

The nationality list shows that the attack affected an international group of travelers and airport users. The Indian embassy said it was monitoring injured people and helping their families, while Saudi authorities continued dealing with the wider airport emergency.

A missile strike is an attack involving a missile directed toward a selected location or target. Its danger comes not only from the direct impact. The explosion can send fragments and building debris outward, damage structures, start fires, and create confusion among people who may have little time to react.

At King Khalid International Airport, passengers were waiting inside the terminal when the strike hit. Mohammed Yusuf was reportedly near a check-in kiosk with his family when debris fell on him. He was critically injured and later died in hospital. His wife and two children were also injured.

The article reports 13 deaths and more than 300 injuries. A second projectile later struck the complex housing terminals 3 and 4. These incidents demonstrate why crowded civilian terminals are especially vulnerable during attacks, even when passengers are not the intended target.

The attacks occurred within the wider conflict involving Yemen's Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, and a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebels. The article links the airport incidents to repeated attacks on Saudi airports and oil installations. These locations are important civilian and economic infrastructure, so attacks can disrupt travel and create wider pressure.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi targets in recent days. However, they had not claimed responsibility for the deadly October 10 airport strike at the time of the reports. On Sunday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned airlines and travelers against using Saudi airports and airspace.

The warning specifically exempted airports in Mecca and Medina. Saudi authorities closed the airport after the incidents, while India condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. The article does not establish a confirmed Houthi role in the October 10 strike.

When an airport is attacked, authorities may close it to protect passengers and inspect damaged facilities. Airlines must cancel, delay, or reroute flights, while travelers can become stranded or unable to reach family, work, religious destinations, or medical care. The disruption can spread beyond the airport because transport, hotels, businesses, and emergency services are affected.

The article reports that Riyadh's airport remained closed after an unidentified projectile struck the complex housing terminals 3 and 4. Those terminals serve domestic flights. The October 10 strike had already killed 13 people and injured more than 300, creating a major emergency for passengers and local authorities.

Schools in Riyadh shifted to online classes after the incidents. This response shows how attacks can alter daily life across a city, not only airline schedules. Continued warnings about airport vulnerability may prolong closures, reduce normal travel, and increase pressure on authorities to restore safe operations.

Airports and governments can reduce risk by combining early warning systems with practical emergency plans. They can monitor threats, share information quickly, inspect terminals, identify safe shelters, train staff, and keep medical and fire teams ready. Clear instructions help passengers avoid panic and move safely when an alert occurs.

During a conflict, authorities can temporarily close threatened airspace, suspend flights, or reroute them to safer airports. Airlines can contact passengers, provide refunds or rebooking, and arrange assistance for stranded travelers. Governments can coordinate with hospitals, embassies, local authorities, and transport providers. These measures are established safety practices; the article specifically reports airport closure, warnings, embassy assistance, and online schooling.

Protection also requires special support for vulnerable travelers, including children, injured people, and foreign nationals. Regular drills, backup communications, and plans for reopening can help maintain essential travel without exposing passengers to avoidable danger.

International humanitarian law distinguishes military targets from civilians and civilian infrastructure to limit the human cost of war. Civilians are not combatants, and facilities serving ordinary people should not be attacked simply because they are useful or symbolically important. Parties must take precautions and avoid attacks expected to cause excessive civilian harm.

King Khalid International Airport was filled with passengers, including Umrah pilgrims, when the strike occurred. The reported impact killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Debris also reportedly struck Mohammed Yusuf near a check-in kiosk. These facts show how an attack on a civilian transport site can harm people who are not participating in fighting.

India called attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable” and urged them to stop immediately. Applying these protections helps preserve essential services and accountability during conflict. It also makes clear that military claims do not remove the duty to protect airport users and other civilians.