Arla staff escape terrorist attack in Riyadh

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1 min
Published:
15 May 2003
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Four bombs exploded on Monday in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. Arla Foods’ 20 Danish staff and their families were unharmed.
Just two weeks ago, the families of Arla Foods’ staff returned to Saudi Arabia having spent six weeks in Denmark during the war in Iraq.
One of the car bombs exploded in a compound housing Americans and Western Europeans, but no Arla staff were in the vicinity.

Executive Director of Danya Foods, Kasper Lenbroch says:
»Of course, we’re shocked because the bombs were so close. But we’re all fine. As it looks now, I don’t think that there are grounds for sending the families home again.”
Kasper Lenbroch also says that Danya Foods, with its 170 Saudi employees is regarded as a local company.

Security intensified
Schools in the city were closed on Tuesday and the wives and children of Arla employees were advised to stay indoors and to avoid tourist destinations and shops selling western goods.
Although security was already tight during the war in the Iraq, it has been further intensified. The compounds are protected by metre-thick walls and iron gates have been installed at the entrances which are staffed by security guards.

Arla Foods is an international dairy company owned by more than 8,400 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Arla Foods is one of the leading players in the international dairy arena with well-known brands like Arla®, Lurpak®, Puck® and Castello®. Arla Foods is focused on providing good dairy nourishment from sustainable farming and operations and is also the world's largest manufacturer of organic dairy products.

Press contact

Arla Group Press Office
Arla Group Press Office (journalists/media only) pressoffice@arlafoods.com +4591310310