Taiwanese Traveler Injured in Saudi Airport Attack, Travel Alert Raised to Red

An incident occurred in the early hours of the 13th of this month at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. An armed suspect breached the airport’s secure zone and attacked passengers and staff, resulting in injuries to several travelers. According to on-site reports, although police swiftly took the suspect into custody, several individuals were injured, including a Taiwanese national who was caught in the crossfire.

In response to the injury of the Taiwanese citizen, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately activated its emergency rescue procedures, dispatching diplomatic personnel to the airport to visit the victim and assist with medical care. The ministry stated that it has coordinated with medical institutions and arranged necessary medical support to ensure the injured party receives timely treatment. This action also underscores Taiwan’s high regard for the safety of its nationals abroad on the international stage.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly adjusted its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia, raising the warning level for border regions to “Level 4: Red – Depart Immediately.” This is the highest warning level, advising all Taiwanese nationals within Saudi Arabia to evacuate immediately and avoid entering high-risk areas. Previously, Taiwan had raised travel advisories on multiple occasions due to political and security instability in Saudi Arabia, urging the public to stay informed of the latest developments.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has frequently experienced attacks targeting foreign tourists, particularly at major international airports and tourist attractions. Such attacks are often orchestrated by terrorist groups or extremists with the aim of disrupting international tourism and creating political impact. In addition to the current incident, several similar attacks occurred last year, resulting in injuries to multiple foreigners, further highlighting the challenges Saudi Arabia faces in security protection.

For Taiwan, this incident is not merely about a single individual’s injury but may have long-term implications for cross-strait relations and economic exchanges. Taiwan does not have a formal diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia, maintaining only limited diplomatic and business ties through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. If the security situation in Saudi Arabia continues to deteriorate, Taiwanese business representatives and travelers on the ground will face greater risks, which could also affect investment and trade between the two sides. On the other hand, Taiwan must also maintain a responsible image regarding the safety of foreigners in the international community, avoiding any perception of a lack of crisis management capability due to a single incident.

In the face of such security risks, the Taiwanese government has urged all Taiwanese citizens in Saudi Arabia to remain highly vigilant and strictly adhere to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel advisories. For those planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, it is recommended to verify the latest safety information in advance and to choose reliable travel agencies and transportation options. Taiwan will continue to monitor the situation in Saudi Arabia and adjust relevant advisories as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of Taiwanese nationals overseas. (Source: CNA)