A Saudi airport worker died after assisting in efforts to extinguish a fire caused by a missile attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21. Sultan Al-Qahtani, who was on duty at the time, responded quickly alongside colleagues to a blaze that erupted between Gates 19 and 20 following the strike.

According to family members, Al-Qahtani and his co-workers attempted to control the fire using fire extinguishers to prevent it from spreading to a nearby passenger aircraft. Shortly after engaging in the emergency response, Al-Qahtani began experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing, symptoms attributed to smoke inhalation.

Al-Qahtani’s father, Ali, said his son was preparing to help passengers board a flight when the attack occurred. Upon hearing the explosion, Sultan and his colleagues immediately inspected the site and started fighting the fire. After feeling unwell, he informed his coworkers and was advised to seek medical attention. He was taken to a hospital but later succumbed to his condition.

Al-Qahtani’s family described him as a devoted husband and father of six children, including two sons and four daughters, all of whom are school-aged. His eldest son is in middle school while his younger son attends primary school. Relatives noted that he maintained close ties with his parents and siblings, frequently hosting family visits on Fridays.

Speaking about his loss, Al-Qahtani’s uncle Khalid Hussain Al-Qahtani expressed condolences to the family and the nation, describing Sultan as a source of pride and characterizing his death as a sacrifice made in service to the homeland. The family regarded his final actions as reflective of his values, highlighting his willingness to place others before himself and respond courageously in times of danger.

The attack on King Fahd International Airport is part of ongoing hostilities involving Houthi forces, who have previously targeted various locations in Saudi Arabia. Authorities remain vigilant as they continue to respond to threats against critical infrastructure and civilians.