Moment WHO boss is dramatically rushed to safety and ‘narrowly escapes death’ as Israeli strike hits an airport in Yemen
Dramatic CCTV footage has captured the moment the head of the World Health Organization was rushed to safety after being caught up in an Israeli attack on Yemen’s airport.
Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the WHO, has claimed he “narrowly escaped death” after the Boxing Day airstrike, which injured a member of his team and killed at least six people.
Footage from the airport in Yemen’s capital Sanaa shows Mr Ghebreyesus relaxing in what appears to be a waiting room before he is suddenly rushed to his feet by his staff as they rush to leave the area.
As he links arms with two men, the 59-year-old is rushed from the room to safety.
The video then cuts to show the moment the Israeli strike hits the control tower, sending debris and smoke billowing into the air.
Another angle shows a UN World Food Program plane stationary on the runway just seconds before the missile hits the control tower. Once the smoke clears, you will see an injured person lying on the ground.
Speak with the BBCMr Ghebreyesus described the incident as ‘chaotic’, with people ‘in disarray and running everywhere’.
He said: ‘There was no shelter so we were completely exposed. It’s a matter of luck, otherwise the rocket, if it deviated just a little bit, could have landed on our heads.
The footage shows WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus (circled) relaxing in what appears to be a waiting room before he is suddenly chased to his feet by his staff as they rush to leave the building. area
As he links arms with two men, the 59-year-old is rushed from the room to safety
The video then cuts to show the moment the Israeli attack hits the control tower, sending debris and smoke billowing into the air
“So my colleague actually said that we barely escaped death after all.”
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 his plane’s crew had been injured.
Mr Ghebreyesus said: ‘As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa about two hours ago, the airport was hit by aerial bombardment.
‘One of the crew members of our plane was injured. At least two people died at the airport.
‘The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge – just a few meters from where we were – and the runway were damaged. Before we can leave, we will have to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired.’
Another angle shows a UN World Food Program plane stationary on the runway just seconds before the missile hits the control tower. Once the smoke clears, you will see an injured person lying on the ground
Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus (pictured), the 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 targeted attacks on “military infrastructure” used by the Houthi rebels
Damage to Sanaa Airport’s control tower after Israeli airstrikes. Israeli forces attacked the airport, killing at least two people
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the WHO chief revealed that one of his plane’s crew had been injured
He added: “Our mission to negotiate the release of staff prisoners and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in Yemen concluded today.
“We continue to call for the immediate release of the prisoners.”
Yesterday, in a speech on X, he said his injured colleague was receiving medical treatment in Jordan.
Israel has described today’s attacks as targeted attacks on “military infrastructure” used by the Houthi rebels.
It comes after the Iran-backed group launched four ballistic missiles against Israel last week. One of these injured sixteen people in Tel Aviv.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, told parliament: “I have ordered our armed forces to destroy the Houthis’ 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 it takes time.”
The times reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had hit targets in western ports in Yemen, as well as in the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations.
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.”
Left luggage in the airport terminal
Broken glass at Sanaa airport. Mr Ghebreyesus said: ‘As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa about two hours ago, the airport was hit by aerial bombardment’
Houthi rebels in Yemen. This is the fourth time that Israel has carried out airstrikes on Yemeni infrastructure since the Houthis began launching rockets into Israel after the October 7 attacks last year.
Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured), Prime Minister of Israel, told parliament: “I have ordered our armed forces to destroy Houthi infrastructure because anyone who tries to harm us will be hit with full force.
This is the fourth time that Israel has carried out airstrikes on Yemeni infrastructure since the Houthis began launching missiles at Israel after the October 7 attacks last year.
After continued attacks on ships sailing through the Red Sea, US and British forces have also launched attacks against the Houthis.
Yemen’s civil war has torn the country apart and the Iranian-backed Houthis have been fighting the Saudi-backed Yemeni government for more than a decade.
According to UN estimates, more than 300,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the conflict.