Dramatic CCTV captured the moment the head of the World Health Organization was rushed to safety after being caught in an Israeli strike on Yemen’s airport.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus said he “narrowly escaped death” following the Boxing Day airstrike that injured a member of his team and killed at least six people.
In footage from the airport in Yemen’s capital Sanaa, Ghebreyesus can be seen relaxing in what appears to be a waiting room before he is suddenly pulled to his feet by his associates as they rush to leave the area.
Taking two men by the arm, the 59-year-old runs out of the room to safety.
The video then cuts to show the moment the Israeli strike hits the control tower, sending debris and smoke into the air.
Another angle shows a UN World Food Program plane stopped on the runway just seconds before the missile hits the control tower. Once the smoke has cleared, an injured person can be seen lying on the ground.
talking to BBCGhebreyesus described the incident as “chaotic,” with people “disorganized and running everywhere.”
He said: ‘There was no shelter, so we were completely exposed. It’s a matter of luck, otherwise, if the missile deviated a little, it could have hit us in the head.
In the footage, Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus (circled), the Director-General of the WHO, can be seen relaxing in what appears to be a waiting room before he is suddenly pulled to his feet by his associates as they rush to leave the room. area
Taking two men by the arm, the 59-year-old runs out of the room to safety.
The video then cuts to show the moment the Israeli strike hits the control tower, sending debris and smoke into the air.
“So my colleague said that after all that, we narrowly escaped death.”
He also added that the civilian airport should not have been attacked by Israel and a fellow UN chief described the attacks as “alarming”.
The WHO chief was in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained staff and assess the health and humanitarian situation in the war-torn country.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he revealed that one of the crew members of his plane was injured.
Mr Ghebreyesus said: ‘When we were about to board our flight from Sanaa, about two hours ago, the airport came under aerial bombardment.
‘One of our plane’s crew members was injured. At least two people were reported dead at the airport.
«The air traffic control tower, the departure hall, a few meters from where we were, and the runway were damaged. We will have to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave.’
Another angle shows a UN World Food Program plane stopped on the runway just seconds before the missile hits the control tower. Once the smoke has subsided, an injured person can be seen lying on the ground.
Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus (pictured), director-general of the WHO, was at the airport at the time of the airstrike.
The aftermath of the Israeli airstrikes on the Ras Kutaib power plant. Israel has described today’s attacks as targeting “military infrastructure” used by Houthi rebels.
Damage to the control tower at Sanaa airport following Israeli airstrikes. Israeli forces attacked the airport killing at least two people.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the head of the WHO revealed that one of the crew members of his plane was injured
He added: ‘Our mission to negotiate the release of detained personnel and assess the health and humanitarian situation in Yemen concluded today.
“We continue to call for the immediate release of those detained.”
Speaking on X yesterday, he said his injured colleague was in Jordan receiving medical treatment.
Israel has described today’s attacks as targeting “military infrastructure” used by Houthi rebels.
It comes after the Iran-backed group launched four ballistic missiles at Israel last week. One of which injured 16 people in Tel Aviv.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, told Parliament: ‘I have instructed our forces to destroy the Houthi infrastructure because anyone who tries to harm us will be hit with full force.
“We will continue to crush the forces of evil with strength and ingenuity, even if that takes time.”
The times reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had attacked targets in Yemen’s western ports, as well as the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power plants.
The IDF has claimed that the sites “were used by the Houthi terrorist regime to smuggle Iranian weapons into the region and for the entry of senior Iranian officials.”
Abandoned luggage inside the airport terminal
Broken glass at Sanaa airport. Mr Ghebreyesus said: “When we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport came under aerial bombardment.”
Houthi rebels in Yemen. This is the fourth time Israel has launched airstrikes against Yemeni infrastructure since the Houthis began launching missiles at Israel following the October 7 attacks last year.
Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured), Prime Minister of Israel, told Parliament: “I have instructed our forces to destroy the Houthi infrastructure because anyone who tries to harm us will be hit with full force.”
This is the fourth time Israel has launched airstrikes against Yemeni infrastructure since the Houthis began launching missiles at Israel following the October 7 attacks last year.
After continued attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, US and British forces have also launched attacks against the Houthis.
The Yemeni civil war has torn the country apart and for more than a decade the Iran-backed Houthis have been fighting the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
According to UN estimates, more than 300,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the conflict.