Riyadh bomb blasts confirm terror warnings
Powerful explosions have been heard across Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh.
Witnesses said at about midnight local time on Saturday (21:00GMT), a huge blast rocked the Muhaya residential compound, west of the capital. It was followed by two smaller explosions, 15 seconds apart.
The housing complex was occupied by both Saudis and foreigners, including some Britons. At least 10 houses were reported to have been destroyed.
There are reports of at least 30 fatalities, and over 60 casualties, including children.
Rabie Hadeka, a resident inside the compound, told Al-Arabiya TV that ‘about 20 to 30 people have been killed and 50 to 60 injured.’
The bombings came a day after the US closed its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia amid fears of a terror threat.
The US embassy in Riyadh said it had ‘credible information’ that terrorists in Saudi Arabia were planning attacks in the kingdom.
The Foreign Office has warned of a ‘high threat’ of terrorist attacks against British citizens in Bahrain.
Eyewitnesses said assailants drove a car bomb as close as possible to the compound before detonating the load.
The Prince of Wales is currently visiting Oman, which borders Saudi to the south and is also close to Bahrain.
