Panic and Uncertainty Grip Dubai Amid Iranian Missile and Drone Strikes
Tourists and residents in Dubai have been forced to take shelter inside hotels as the United Arab Emirates faces a severe onslaught of Iranian missiles and drones. A fresh wave of explosions was heard in Dubai and Doha for a second consecutive day on Sunday, with defence forces intercepting incoming projectiles in retaliation to US and Israeli strikes on Saturday.
Hotel Chaos and Flight Cancellations
JS Anand, founder and CEO of LEVA hotels, which operates a flagship property in Dubai, described scenes of panic and uncertainty among guests and locals. Speaking from the Leva Hotel Mazaya Centre, located near the Burj Khalifa where a drone strike caused a fire on Saturday, Anand explained that loud interceptions and impacts led to mass flight cancellations and extended stays.
"Everybody was caught unawares in the city," he said. "Missiles were going over us, sometimes intercepted, causing really loud sounds. Some places got hit, resulting in cancellations and a lot of uncertainty about flights."
Anand added that an emergency alert prompted guests to gather in lobbies and basements overnight, with many extending their stays due to closed airspace. The UAE's department for economy and tourism has assured hoteliers that the government will cover expenses for guests unable to pay for prolonged accommodations.
Stranded Tourists and Personal Stories
Mira Thönnessen, a 36-year-old German midwife staying at the hotel, expressed her reluctance to leave the premises. Her flight to Berlin, scheduled for Monday evening, is unlikely to depart, forcing her to cancel critical home birth appointments and pass patients to colleagues.
"I'm keen to get out as quickly as possible," she said, considering a trip to Oman for alternative flights but fearing further escalation. "My financial resources are dwindling because I didn't expect to stay so long. I don't feel safe going outside."
Widespread Damage and Casualties
According to a Dubai Media Office statement, shrapnel from intercepted drones injured two people in residential areas, while state media reported one fatality from an Iranian missile attack. Debris from aerial defences also sparked fires at Jebel Ali port and the Burj Al Arab hotel, with four injuries reported at Dubai International Airport on Saturday.
Celebrity Stranded and Airport Closures
Former Rangers and Liverpool manager Graeme Souness was among travellers affected, posting videos from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi as he attempted to return to the UK. "I'm hearing some pretty loud bangs go off," he said, referring to anti-missile systems. His flight was cancelled, forcing him to check into a hotel amid ongoing explosions.
One person has been killed at Zayed International Airport, with others injured there and at Dubai International Airport, as thousands of flights remain grounded globally due to the conflict.
Diplomatic Response and Regional Tensions
The UK Ambassador to the UAE has issued a message to British nationals in the country, urging caution. Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the UAE's president, criticised Iran on social media, stating that Tehran "missed its target" and should "deal with your neighbours with reason and responsibility."
The situation remains fluid, with no clear indication of when airspace will reopen or what further developments may unfold in this escalating Middle Eastern conflict.
