JEDDAH: Saudi Twitter users launched a hashtag on Sunday that called for the trial of a person who filmed and shared a video that contained graphic and unethical content, as social media users described.
He filmed a video of injured victims of a horrific bloody traffic accident on the highway to Madinah city.
According to the electronic newspaper Sabq, the incident occurred near the province of Aqlat Al-Suqoor near Al-Qassim on the road to Madinah.
The victims were seven young Saudi passengers in one car that was hit by another car belonging to an Indian expatriate. Four people were killed, including the Indian expatriate, and the injured passengers were taken to Qassim hospitals, according to Sabq.
The person who filmed the incident is facing possible punishment that can reach up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to SR3 million ($799,920). The punishment could be carried out if one of the relatives of the victims or the injured files a lawsuit against him, or if the Public Prosecution, under the powers granted to them, summons him, investigates, and then refers him to trial.
Majed Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi researcher specialized in media, told Arab News: “People are used to taking photos and videos of anything unusual or doesn’t always happen, such as a fancy meal, their nice outfits or any incident that may not happen on a daily basis, and car accidents are an example of unusual incidents.”
“The other reason is that there is a growing obsession for getting an exclusive feature, so they go viral on social media. Social media has made every single individual a potential journalist,” he added.
“One way of facing such incidents is by law. Saudi Arabia has launched a very good cybercrimes law, but I believe such laws need regular updates to fit such cases,” Al-Ghamdi said.
“The other way is by increasing public awareness, which I believe is noticeably increasing, especially when we see such campaigns made by the public that reflect their awareness about the importance of privacy and respect. People became more evaluative of the content shared on social media, and that is a good sign.”
Graphic video of Madinah car crash enrages Saudi Arabian social media
Graphic video of Madinah car crash enrages Saudi Arabian social media
Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025
- New milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport
- Lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight
JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded a new historic milestone on Sunday with the arrival of the 50-millionth passenger for year 2025.
The 50 million milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport since the launch of civil aviation in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
It also placed KAIA among the world’s mega airports in terms of passenger numbers. The figure represents a 1.83 percent growth from 49.1 million passenger arrival recorded in 2024.
“This achievement reflects the qualitative transformation at KAIA and its growing status as a regional hub and national gateway connecting the Kingdom to the world,” the report said.
It also underscores the airport’s vital role in enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination and a gateway to the Two Holy Mosques by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.
KAIA serves as a gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.
The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah.
She was welcomed by JEDCO’s leadership, who greeted her and presented a commemorative gift to mark the occasion.
JEDCO Chief Executive Officer Mazen Johar said that reaching 50 million passengers reflects the airport’s high operational readiness and marks a pivotal milestone in preparations to double this figure in the coming years.
