Father Recounts Son’s Final Moments After Airport Fire Left Him Fighting for Breath.
Dubai: A grieving Saudi father has honoured the memory of his son, who lost his life after responding to a fire at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam following an attack on the facility.
Describing his son as a martyr, the father said he had sacrificed his life while attempting to protect passengers from danger.
Sultan bin Ali Al Mastour Al Qahtani was working at the airport on Wednesday, October 21, when a projectile hit the facility and triggered a fire near an aircraft carrying passengers, according to his father, Ali Al Qahtani.
Concerned that the flames might spread to the nearby aircraft, Sultan and his colleagues immediately rushed to the affected area and began fighting the fire using portable extinguishers.
During the emergency response, Sultan was exposed to smoke, which caused breathing difficulties and chest pain.
He was subsequently transported to hospital for medical attention but later succumbed to his condition.
Speaking to Saudi media, his father recalled how Sultan had acted without hesitation when the emergency unfolded, placing the lives and safety of passengers above his own well-being.
Sultan was stationed near Gates 19 and 20 when the explosion took place. Worried that the flames could spread to an aircraft parked nearby, he and his colleagues immediately headed towards the fire to help bring it under control.
After returning to his office, Sultan began experiencing chest pain. His co-workers encouraged him to seek medical assistance, and he was subsequently taken to hospital. However, his health deteriorated despite receiving treatment.
Saudi media described the incident as a Houthi attack, which also resulted in damage to the airport’s infrastructure.
According to Saudi aviation authorities, the incident initially left one person dead and eight others injured. Officials later confirmed the death of a Saudi national.
Beyond his actions during the emergency, Sultan’s family remembered him as a caring husband, dedicated father and loving son who valued his relationships with relatives.
His mother and siblings frequently visited him, especially on Fridays, highlighting the strong family bonds he maintained throughout his life.
Sultan is survived by his wife and six school-going children, including two sons and four daughters. His eldest son is currently in the second year of intermediate school, while his younger son is studying at primary school.
Although devastated by the loss, Sultan’s father expressed immense pride in his son’s courage and selflessness, remembering him as someone who willingly placed himself in danger to help protect others.
