"I Survived by a Miracle": Addiction Expert Recounts How Minutes Separated Him from Death at Riyadh Airport

Dr. Sami Khalid Al-Hammoud, an expert and consultant in addiction, did not know as he packed his bag for a routine business trip that mere minutes would separate the calm of life from the noise of death, and that he would witness scenes of panic, blood, and debris inside King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, before leaving the place thanking God for his survival.

In a detailed account published on his "X" platform account, titled "When I Survived the Riyadh Airport Attack," Al-Hammoud recalled the details of what he experienced on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from leaving his home heading to the airport for a flight to Jeddah, to the moments of the explosion inside the plane, the passengers' attempts to exit amid the crowd, dust, and debris, to scenes of the injured and victims, and human stances he said embodied solidarity and cooperation in the toughest moments.

A Routine Trip to Jeddah with Pilgrims in Ihram

Al-Hammoud began his story by saying he was preparing to travel to Jeddah on a work mission to present a program on addiction counseling at the Rushd Rehabilitation Center. His flight was on Riyadh Airlines, flight number (RX017), scheduled to depart at 3:20 PM.

He packed his bag and left his home around 2:00 PM, and due to his residence's proximity to the airport, he arrived there around 2:30 PM. He says everything seemed normal, even extremely calm; travelers moving between terminals, employees performing their duties, families waiting for their flights, and faces carrying nothing but the hope of reaching their destinations safely.

Among the travelers heading to Jeddah were several pilgrims, both citizens and residents, wearing white ihram garments, in a scene he described as serene, as they prepared to travel to the House of God, unaware of what the coming moments held.

After completing security checks, Al-Hammoud entered the internal terminal and headed to the boarding gate, where he stood in line behind a man accompanied by his wife, explaining to the airline employee that he had a business class reservation while his wife was in economy, and he wished to upgrade her to join him in the same class.

Al-Hammoud says he was waiting his turn quietly, unaware that death would pass through the place moments later. He added, recalling that moment: "How strange are the decrees of God! How many steps do we take without knowing what lies behind them, and how many moments do we think are ordinary, yet God has hidden something great beyond them!"

After the airline employee directed him to another staff member to complete his boarding procedures, he presented his boarding pass and proceeded through the glass corridor leading to the plane, which some humorously call the "corridor of happiness," unaware it would turn into a path of escape from death within minutes. He was greeted by two flight attendants at the plane's door with smiles and welcomes, then proceeded to his seat, sat down comfortably, and placed his phone on the seat's edge before getting up to retrieve his phone charger from his bag in the overhead compartment, then returned to his place.

A Deafening Boom and Violent Jolt as Crew Calls for Evacuation

One of the attendants was standing by the passenger in front of Al-Hammoud, explaining the meal options, and as soon as he finished, he approached Al-Hammoud, introducing himself with a smile, and was of an Asian nationality. But before he could finish introducing himself, the unexpected happened.

Al-Hammoud says: "A deafening boom, and a violent jolt shook the place! In a single moment, everything changed. The calm vanished, conversations stopped, and passengers and crew exchanged looks of astonishment and panic." He adds that those present did not realize at that moment what had happened or where that terrifying sound came from.

Suddenly, the voice of a woman nearby rose, screaming in anguish: "God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs. May God punish them," and she began to pray fervently and painfully against the attackers. In those critical seconds, the voices of the flight crew rose, demanding everyone leave the plane immediately.

Al-Hammoud jumped up from his seat in fright, before remembering that his phone was left on the seat, so he quickly returned to grab it and headed towards the plane's door. Passengers began to exit, filled with panic and anxiety, each seeking a way to escape and move away from the source of danger.

Debris and Dust Block the Exit Path

Travelers were shocked by an even more terrifying scene; the corridor connecting the plane to the airport terminal was crowded, and movement had stopped completely, as those at the front were unable to advance due to debris and thick dust that obscured visibility, making it difficult to know which path to take.

Al-Hammoud describes the scene by saying that danger was in front of them, and the crowd was behind them, and they did not know what would happen next. While some passengers' voices rose from the back, urging to move forward and hurry, several present called out: "Be patient, everyone, the path is crowded ahead, don't push, beware of trampling, stay calm."

He says everyone understood that panic could create another disaster, and that pushing in that narrow corridor could lead to people falling on top of each other. In those moments, Al-Hammoud felt the helplessness and weakness of humans in the face of danger, finding refuge only in God Almighty, and his tongue began to chant remembrance, saying: "There is no god but God, there is no power or strength except with God, God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs, praise be to God in all circumstances," and he kept repeating to those around him: "Remember God, seek help from God, stay calm."

He recalled the impact of those moments on himself, saying that when a person is squeezed by circumstances and options are exhausted, standing helpless before what cannot be repelled, the heart has no choice but to cling to its Creator, realizing that life and death are in His hands alone, Almighty. From behind the glass sides of the corridor, travelers could see smoke, thick dust, and signs of destruction, without having a complete picture.

"No One Take Pictures": Passengers Seek Safety

Amid the situation, a man standing next to Al-Hammoud called out in a clear voice: "Please, no one take pictures, photography is prohibited." Then some members of the flight crew and supervisors confirmed the same directive, urging everyone not to take pictures.

Al-Hammoud says he bears witness that throughout those moments he lived in the corridor, he did not see a single person in front of him raise their phone to take pictures, considering it a scene of awareness and responsibility in a time of crisis, as people were preoccupied with what was more important: survival, the safety of others, and finding a safe way out.

After a heavy wait, the movement of passengers began to advance slowly, and they exited the corridor little by little. Here came the major shock; the place he passed through minutes earlier, walking confidently behind the man and his wife, was now filled with debris and dust that almost obscured vision. He recalled the scene, saying: "Glory be to God! The place is the same, the distance is the same, but a few minutes made the difference between safety and injury, between life and death."

A Man Crawling and Bleeding, and the Injured on the Way to Aid

As Al-Hammoud advanced, he saw a man in front of him crawling and bleeding, with blood visible on the ground, describing the scene as painful and unforgettable. He also saw a woman affected by the attack, praying fervently against the Houthi terrorist militias and those who aided them, and witnessed another woman being pushed by her family in a wheelchair, rushing her for medical assistance.

He said the scenes surrounding him combined pain, panic, and blood, and he never expected to see such things in a civilian airport, in a country known for its security and tranquility. But amid those harsh scenes, Al-Hammoud said he saw another face of the situation that would remain a source of pride and honor for him, represented in the solidarity and humanity he felt from the workers and travelers.

Praise for Airport Workers and Acts of Solidarity

Al-Hammoud praised what he described as the commendable work of the staff at King Khalid International Airport from various security, service, and operational agencies, noting that he witnessed dedication to duty, rushing to help people, guiding travelers, assisting the injured, and directing everyone towards emergency exits.

He said what he heard of prayers against the attackers, and what he felt of unified sentiments condemning the Houthi terrorist militias' attack targeting innocent civilians, showed people's rejection of targeting the innocent and their pride in their country's security and stability. He added: "And this is our custom as Saudis; people of solidarity, chivalry, and humanity, we do not abandon each other in times of hardship, nor leave those in need of help alone in times of crisis."

Al-Hammoud left the airport terminal safely, but found himself facing other scenes no less painful than what he saw inside; ambulances had rushed to the scene, racing to save the injured and transport them, while paramedics moved quickly among those needing assistance.

Suddenly, the place was pierced by a loud scream carrying a pain words cannot describe, and Al-Hammoud turned towards its source, finding a man crying bitterly over someone who had passed away. Nearby, a woman was weeping, with an elderly woman beside her raising prayers to God against the attackers, while her tears and words told a pain too great to describe. In another corner, he saw a woman screaming, looking left and right, searching for someone who was with her, calling out amid the chaos and anxiety.

Al-Hammoud recalled those moments, wondering: "Oh God, how harsh those moments were!", confirming that he realized then that the attack's effects do not end with the sound of the explosion, but begin after it with stories of pain, loss, and fear that remain in the hearts of their owners for a long time.

A Customs Officer Offers Water and a Phrase Summarizing Solidarity

After Al-Hammoud moved on, burdened by what he saw, he was met by someone in the intense heat with a sincere smile, saying to him: "Thank God for your safety," and then heard the same phrase from more than one person, words he described as simple, but in that moment were greater than just a greeting. Then a customs officer passed by him with a bottle of water, and as soon as he saw him and noticed signs of fatigue, he offered the water to him and insisted he take it.

Al-Hammoud said the man did not know him, nor did he know the man, and there was nothing between them but the bond of humanity and the brotherhood of the Saudi nation, which shows its best in times of hardship. He added that he saw that day two contrasting faces; a hand extended in attack to terrorize the innocent, and hands extended in rescue and mercy to reassure the frightened, aid the injured, and quench the thirsty.

He considered that the greatness of nations appears in the morals of their people and their solidarity and cooperation when crises intensify, affirming that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not just a country we live in, but a homeland where we find, after God, security, dignity, mercy, and humanity.

"I Left the Airport, But My Heart Did Not Leave the Scene"

Despite leaving the airport, Al-Hammoud said his heart remained captive to the scenes he lived; the image of the man crawling in his blood, the man crying over a loved one, the injured woman raising her prayers to the sky, the elderly mother sighing from pain, and the woman searching for someone who was with her, as well as the image of the pilgrims in their white garments present in his memory.

He wondered: "What sin did these people commit?", adding that these are innocent, unarmed civilians, not carrying weapons, not waging war, and posing no threat to anyone. He considered that targeting a civilian airport crowded with travelers is not a passing military act, nor a heroism the perpetrator can boast about, but an attack on innocent lives and a violation of human values and international covenants, noting that targeting the guests of the Most Merciful makes the attack even more severe.

Al-Hammoud said targeting civilians reflects moral bankruptcy and a lack of respect for the sanctity of blood, and an attempt to compensate for failures by terrorizing travelers and targeting vital facilities. He wondered: "And what project is this that makes the blood of innocents a means to achieve its goals? And what cause can gain legitimacy from targeting travelers and pilgrims?", affirming that attacking civilians does not create victory, but reveals the fall of the values the attacker claims to defend.

He concluded his account by affirming that the Kingdom, by the grace of God, is strong with the faith of its people and their unity, and with the state he trusts in its ability to protect its security, preserve its sovereignty, and hold the attackers accountable, adding: "And tomorrow is near for those who wait." He prayed to God to protect the Kingdom, its leadership, its people, and the residents on its land, to protect the guests of the House of God, to have mercy on those who lost their lives, to heal the injured, to turn the attackers' plots against them, and to make this country safe and secure, as well as all Muslim countries.