Saudi Arabia: Explosions heard in Riyadh after danger alert

Riyadh: Residents in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, reported hearing fresh explosions on Wednesday, October 14, the Associated Press (AP) reported, amid regional tensions involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

This came after Saudi Civil Defence issued warnings for Riyadh City and Al-Kharj Governorate through the National Early Warning Platform, alerting residents to potential danger.

Authorities urged people to remain calm, seek shelter inside buildings away from windows and follow official safety instructions. Residents were also advised to avoid gathering or filming, stay away from dangerous areas and rely on information released through official channels. Motorists who received alerts while driving were instructed to pull over away from bridges and high-rise buildings.

Civil Defence later announced on X that the danger had passed in both locations. However, residents subsequently reported hearing fresh explosions in Riyadh, according to AP. The cause of the reported explosions was not immediately clear.

Saudi Arabia warns against filming missile and drone interceptions

In a separate advisory, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned that filming, publishing or sharing information about efforts to intercept missiles and drones, including their impact sites, could expose individuals to legal liability.

The ministry urged the public not to circulate such material.

Residents in Riyadh and Al-Kharj can contact emergency services on 911.