Former Married At First Sight contestant Mikey Pembroke has delivered a startling update to his followers, revealing that his apartment in Dubai came perilously close to being struck by Iranian missile attacks launched in retaliation for recent US air strikes. The 33-year-old reality television veteran, who moved to Dubai last year, posted a disturbing video on social media this Sunday, assuring fans of his safety amidst the escalating crisis.
Shock and Awe in the Dubai Skyline
In the clip, a visibly shaken Pembroke described hearing approximately twenty explosions directly above his residential building. "All right guys, can confirm Dubai has been hit. I just heard about explosions above my apartment building. There's been like 20 explosions," he recounted to his audience. The former MAFS groom expressed confusion over the events, speculating, "I think it is like missiles getting intercepted above where I am staying... I don't know what is going on."
He supplemented his account with confronting footage showing missiles detonating near his apartment complex, followed by scenes of fiery aftermath. Emphasizing the proximity of the danger, Pembroke added, "Literally next to me," as he advised he was lying low safely. This alarming incident comes after Pembroke relocated to Dubai for a fresh start, having quietly rebuilt his life following several challenging years back in Australia.
A New Chapter Amidst Global Tensions
Last year, Pembroke announced a surprising return to the real estate sector in Dubai, sharing a photo of himself in a sharp navy suit on Instagram. He explained that after years working as business director for his family's company and focusing on his mental and physical health, he was embarking on a bold new chapter in one of the world's fastest-growing cities. "This city is nothing short of spectacular - not only from an investment perspective but also for its unmatched quality of life, innovation, and the incredible things happening here every single day," he told fans at the time.
Pembroke, who was paired with Natasha Spencer on the 2020 season of Married At First Sight, has spent recent months training rigorously and laying foundations for his overseas venture. However, his new beginning has now been overshadowed by regional military actions.
Broader Attacks Across the UAE
Pembroke's experience is not isolated. Olympic champion Stephanie Rice, who also moved to Dubai recently, issued an urgent plea for prayers after the city's iconic Burj Al-Arab hotel was reportedly struck by an Iranian suicide drone, setting the building ablaze. Rice, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, posted on Instagram, "Please help me in praying for all my friends, loved ones and people in the UAE that they would be protected and feel a tangible sense of God's peace in this scary situation."
Her post included a statement from the Australian embassy in the United Arab Emirates, confirming missile attacks from Iran and noting that the UAE Ministry of Defence had intercepted several incoming missiles. The statement warned, "However, the situation remains serious, and one civilian casualty has been confirmed."
Escalating Regional Conflict
Further reports indicate that the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit by a Shahed drone, injuring four people and prompting witness accounts of ambulances rushing to the scene. Additionally, suicide drones attacked residential skyscrapers in Bahrain, with missiles launched from Iran targeting US bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai Airports suspended all flights at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International, advising passengers against travel. These retaliatory strikes follow US and Israeli air strikes on targets in several Iranian cities, including offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which triggered explosions and smoke over Tehran. The Iranian response has involved missiles aimed at Israel and various locations across the Middle East, heightening tensions in the region.
As the situation develops, expatriates like Mikey Pembroke and Stephanie Rice find themselves caught in the crossfire of international conflicts, with their personal updates bringing a human face to the geopolitical turmoil unfolding in the United Arab Emirates.
