Saudi Arabia: Two Filipino nationals remain in intensive care following the October 10 attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed 12 people and injured 309, according to Philippine authorities.
Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed on Sunday that the two injured Filipinos were receiving treatment at hospitals in Riyadh.
In an update posted on social media, Cacdac said that, as of 11am Philippine time on October 11, both individuals were recovering from their injuries. He added that teams from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were monitoring their condition.
No Filipino nationals were reported killed in the incident, which Saudi authorities described as the third reported attack on the airport within a week.
12 Killed and 309 Injured
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that Saturday’s attack claimed 12 lives, including four Saudi citizens and nationals from several other countries.
The victims included two Bangladeshis, one American, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian and one Sudanese.
The attack also left 309 people injured and caused property damage. GACA said the extent of the damage was still being assessed.
Around 865,000 Filipinos Live and Work in Saudi Arabia
Philippine authorities estimate that approximately 865,000 Filipinos live and work in Saudi Arabia. Many are employed in the healthcare, service and construction sectors.
Following the incident, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah issued a joint advisory urging Filipino nationals to remain calm, vigilant and attentive to developments in their respective areas.
Safety Advisory for Filipino Nationals
The Philippine missions advised Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to follow several precautions:
- Remain vigilant: Exercise caution, avoid unnecessary exposure to security risks and stay indoors when required, particularly during security alerts.
- Follow official instructions: Comply with safety directives from Saudi authorities, including Civil Defense, and monitor official government announcements.
- Check flights before travelling: Passengers should confirm their flight status directly with airlines because security developments may cause delays or cancellations.
- Avoid suspicious objects and debris: Do not approach or touch unidentified objects or fragments that may have resulted from missile or drone interceptions. Move to a safe distance and report them to the relevant Saudi authorities.
- Avoid spreading unverified information: Do not circulate unconfirmed reports, photographs or videos of security incidents. Rely on official sources for updates.
The Philippine Embassy and Consulate General said they continued to operate normally and remained available to provide consular assistance to Filipino nationals.
Emergency Contacts for Filipinos in Saudi Arabia
Filipino nationals requiring assistance can contact the following offices:
| Office | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Philippine Embassy in Riyadh | +966 56 989 3301 |
| Migrant Workers Office (MWO), Riyadh | +966 50 285 0944 |
| MWO, Eastern Region Operations | +966 56 232 9926 |
| Philippine Consulate General, Jeddah | +966 55 521 9613 |
| MWO, Jeddah | +966 56 981 9720 |
| OWWA, Jeddah | +966 54 473 7797 |
Filipinos can also contact the relevant offices by email:
- Philippine Embassy in Riyadh: riyadh.pe@dfa.gov.ph
- MWO Riyadh: mwo_riyadh@dmw.gov.ph
- OWWA Riyadh: welfare_riyadh@owwa.gov.ph
- MWO Eastern Region: mwo_alkhobar@dmw.gov.ph
- Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah: jeddahpcg.atn@dfa.gov.ph or jeddah.pcg@dfa.gov.ph
- MWO Jeddah: mwo_jeddah@dmw.gov.ph
- OWWA Jeddah: jeddah@owwa.gov.ph
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged Filipino residents to prioritise their safety and follow official instructions.
