RIYADH (Dispatches) – Saudi Arabia announced that an explosion took place on Wednesday outside Al-Kharj, a city southeast of the capital Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Turki Al-Malki, the defense ministry spokesman, said the morning explosion hit a site used to dispose of unserviceable munitions.
The case is being investigated by competent authorities, he added.
Videos showed sparks, flames and smoke shooting out of a desert location southeast of Riyadh near a major air base.
The blast happened at 5:10 a.m. as the sun rose over the city, Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki said, according to a report by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. He described the blast as an accident.
“Thankfully, no damages or injuries have occurred,” al-Malki said. “The incident is being monitored by competent authorities.”
Kharj is close to Prince Sultan Air Base, which has some 2,500 U.S. troops now manning fighter jets and Patriot missile batteries. U.S.
Air Force Capt. Rachel Buitrago told The Associated Press that no American troops were affected by the blast and that they stood ready to assist the kingdom if needed after the blast.