British Tourists Evacuated to Dubai Car Parks Amid Iranian Missile Attacks
British tourists in Dubai have been urgently evacuated from their luxury five-star hotel rooms into underground car parks and service corridors, as the city faces relentless attacks from Iran that have killed three civilians. The strikes, involving ballistic missiles and suicide drones, were launched by Tehran in retaliation for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a targeted US-Israeli airstrike.
Chaos in Luxury Hotels
Numerous videos circulated on social media show tourists, including many British nationals, being escorted from panoramic suites and marbled rooms to basement areas for safety. One British woman posted a TikTok video from a parking bay, sitting on a mattress in her pajamas, with the caption: 'Not quite the 5* we booked however we're grateful to be safe! Before the nasty comments, we have been evacuated to the basement for our safety!'
In another post, two British women pointed at a mattress on a carpark floor, commenting: 'This guys is our version of a five star hotel. Five star safety. The world is ending. It's WWIII and lets film a TikTok.' They captioned it to their 25,000 followers: 'POV you're in Dubai on march 1st having to sleep in the bunker.'
Widespread Attacks and Flight Cancellations
Iran is striking US allies across the Middle East, including Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. Videos show drones hitting famous landmarks like the Burj Al Arab hotel and Palm Jumeirah. At least two drones have struck Dubai's airport, with further explosions reported across the Emirates.
The attacks have led to a 'temporary and partial closure' of airspace in the United Arab Emirates, resulting in over 3,400 flight cancellations across seven main Middle Eastern airports yesterday. Hundreds of thousands of travellers are stranded, with scenes of people in summer attire scattered across car parks, lying on mattresses or thin blankets, overflowing into stairwells.
Government Warnings and Evacuation Plans
The UK Government now advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE, and warns against all travel to Iran. Nearly half of flights scheduled from London Heathrow to the Middle East were cancelled yesterday.
Amid the chaos, the UK plans an unprecedented operation to evacuate at least 94,000 Brits currently stuck in the region, with a goal to support up to 200,000 British nationals in the Gulf. British expats are urged to register with the Foreign Office online, with 94,000 already signed on, many in the UAE.
Airlines Respond to Crisis
Emirates has suspended all operations to and from Dubai until 3pm UAE time on Monday, March 2, due to airspace closures. Etihad Airways has halted flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 2am UAE time on March 2, warning of unavoidable disruptions. Qatar Airways has also suspended flights following Qatari airspace closure, cautioning passengers about online scams.
In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates can register their presence to receive direct updates from the FCDO on the situation in the Middle East. You should continue to follow travel advice and the advice of the local authorities.'
Casualties and Regional Impact
Beyond Dubai, nine civilians were killed by Iranian strikes in Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, according to Israeli authorities. Three American service members have been confirmed dead, with five severely wounded, though the US rejects claims that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was hit. No British nationals have been reported killed or injured so far.
The Iranian regime has vowed to unleash its 'most intense offensive operation in history', promising force its enemies 'have never experienced before'. As the conflict escalates, tourists and residents alike face ongoing uncertainty and danger in the region.
