RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) aircraft has been destroyed by fire at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with dramatic footage showing thick black smoke rising over the airport and flames burning close to airport buildings.
The footage shows a stationary Saudia aircraft surrounded by emergency response vehicles as firefighters work to bring the blaze under control. Reports indicate that the aircraft was empty when the incident occurred.
The fire comes amid a reported ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh. The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attack, while Saudi authorities said incoming missiles had been intercepted.
However, there is currently no independent confirmation that the aircraft fire was directly caused by the missile attack. The circumstances surrounding the blaze, including what triggered the fire and whether debris from an intercepted missile was involved, remain unclear.
Emergency crews responded rapidly to the incident, and the fire was subsequently extinguished. There have been no reports of casualties aboard the aircraft.
The incident occurred as heightened security measures were in place around the Saudi capital following the reported missile launches.
Further details about the aircraft, including its registration and the extent of damage to airport infrastructure, have yet to be confirmed.
VERIFICATION
- A maintenance incident occurred at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah in 2017, it was a limited fire.
- A Saudi Arabian airlines plane at Sudan’s Khartoum airport came under fire during clashes at Khartoum Airport in Sudan in 2023.
- Reuters confirms a projectile had hit a commercial plane belonging to Saudi state carrier Saudia Airlines today. The plane is heavily damaged after catching fire while parked at an airport terminal today, three people briefed on the matter said.
UPDATE
- Saudia airline says its pilot Captain Hamoud Ali al-Kalthami was killed in the attack on Riyadh airport Thursday.
- Airline also says one of its aircraft was damaged while on the ground at the airport, with no passengers on board.
