Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that no Malaysians were reported killed or injured following a deadly attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (Oct 10).
The attack left at least 12 people dead and 309 others injured, with some victims reported to be in critical condition.
According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, the fatalities included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
Several Malaysians stranded following flight disruptions
In a statement issued on Sunday (Oct 11), the Foreign Ministry, also known as Wisma Putra, said it and the Malaysian Embassy in Riyadh were maintaining contact with several Malaysians stranded due to flight disruptions.
The ministry said consular assistance was being provided to those affected and urged Malaysians currently in Saudi Arabia, transiting through the country or planning to travel there to remain vigilant.
Those with upcoming travel plans were advised to check their flight status directly with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.
Wisma Putra also reminded Malaysians to prepare for possible flight delays or cancellations, follow updates through official channels and comply with safety instructions issued by local authorities.
Malaysians in Saudi Arabia were also encouraged to register and update their contact details through the e-Konsular portal to facilitate communication and consular assistance.
Airport attacked for third time in a week
The deadly attack on Saturday marked the third time King Khalid International Airport had been targeted within a week.
According to reports, a missile struck a building housing Terminals 3 and 4, which serve domestic flights.
Witnesses described hearing explosions and seeing injured passengers lying on the ground, while part of the ceiling near a boarding gate reportedly collapsed.
King Khalid Airport in Riyadh after Yemen’s ballistic missile attack. https://t.co/4LBmT8OwnG
The attack came without warning, as Saudi Arabia’s threat warning system reportedly failed to issue an alert beforehand.
Two earlier attacks at the airport this week had already killed four people and severely damaged a Saudi commercial aircraft parked on the apron.
Flights cancelled as airport suspends operations
Following the attack, Saudi aviation authorities temporarily suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport, forcing airlines to cancel or divert flights.
Kuwait Airways announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Riyadh, while Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways also cancelled several services.
Some flight disruptions were expected to continue until Monday (Oct 12).
The incident has affected travellers arriving in and departing from Saudi Arabia, including Malaysians whose journeys have been interrupted.
Anwar condemns attack, expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim strongly condemned the attack, which claimed innocent lives and left hundreds injured.
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In a statement, Anwar extended his condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He stressed that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure could never be justified, warning that such actions would only worsen the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict.
To put innocent lives at risk can only deepen the suffering already wrought by this conflict and carry it into places that should remain beyond its reach,” he said.
Anwar also reaffirmed Malaysia’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people during this difficult period.
He expressed hope that diplomacy and reason would prevail to prevent the conflict from escalating further.
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