Part 3/11:
On that fateful evening in August, Saudia Flight 163 was scheduled to take off from Karachi, Pakistan to Jeddah, with a stopover in Riyadh. Although the Hajj season had not yet commenced, the flight was fully booked. After a routine departure from Karachi, the aircraft landed in Riyadh, where all passengers disembarked for customs clearance. During this period, bags were subjected to rudimentary checks, making it possible for prohibited items to find their way on board, including potential fire hazards. Although the exact contents of baggage on this specific flight remain unknown, future investigations would reveal dangerous materials like diesel oil and a butane stove in the cargo areas.