Terrified influencers scramble for shelter in Dubai after Iranian drone blitz on expat haven

Terrified influencers who moved to the UAE in search of a flashy, tax-free lifestyle were seeking shelter last night as Iran’s drones and missiles rained down on Dubai, turning the expat paradise into a war zone.

Thick clouds of black smoke rose into the night sky after the five-star Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah was set on fire; At least four people were injured as British tourists hid in basements as the missiles passed overhead.

The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and a feared target, was evacuated as panic spread in the city that is home to more than 240,000 Britons.

Missiles were seen tearing up the skyline late at night; The footage recorded the terrifying speed at which the guns ripped through the air before hitting the buildings.

Boxer Amir Khan, Love Island stars Laura Anderson and Arabella Chi and Birmingham singer Jamelia are among those stranded in the city.

Reality TV star Vicky Pattison has told fans she and husband Ercan Ramazan are safe after being caught up in chaos just hours after arriving in the country.

Model Hofit Golan and influencer Will Bailey drew attention to what must be the ‘safest city in the world’.

Socialite Petra Ecclestone described it as ‘one of the worst, scariest nights of my life’.

Another high-profile couple, Rio Ferdinand and Kate Ferdinand, who moved to Dubai last year, have yet to be heard from.

Laura Anderson wrote on Instagram about her fears and concerns about what happened overnight

Socialite Petra Ecclestone described the horror of the night as explosions echoed throughout the city

‘Ercan and I were going to fly to Sydney this evening. But like so many others, our flight was canceled and we are now effectively stranded in Dubai,” wrote Vicky Pattinson.

‘Ercan and I were going to fly to Sydney this evening. “But like many others, our flight was canceled and we are now effectively stranded in Dubai,” he wrote.

‘We’ve been getting a lot of messages from people asking if we’re OK, which we are. We are at our hotel now and made sure we are safe.

‘We recognize that the situation that has emerged is frightening and we are also aware that there are many understandably worrying videos circulating on social media.

‘I’m not sure what to say other than to do the best we can to stay calm, not feed unsubstantiated narratives and think of everyone who feels unsettled and unsafe at the moment.’

Socialite Petra Ecclestone described the horror of the night as explosions echoed throughout the city.

‘We escaped from a place in search of peace, and last night reminded us how fragile the sense of security can be. It was terrible. But we are safe, we are together, and today we hold our children even closer. ‘I am grateful beyond words.’

Boxer Amir Khan has not yet spoken publicly but shared guidance for British nationals in the UAE in his story.

Just hours before the strikes, Love Island star Arabella Chi was playing on the beach with her daughter: ‘Dubai friends. Terrible times. Stay safe,’ he wrote.

Additionally, Sophia Peschisolido, who lives in Dubai with her husband and two children, shared from the city: ‘I never imagined that I would hear the sound of a bomb exploding. It’s very scary. My god.’

Boxer Amir Khan has yet to speak publicly but has published guidance for British nationals in the UAE on his story

Today Will Bailey revealed more missiles were intercepted over Dubai

Love Island star Laura Anderson, 36, reassured her followers that she and her two-year-old daughter Bonnie were ‘fine’ after touching down in Dubai in the early hours of Saturday.

Israeli socialite Hofit Golan (pictured) and British TV stars Vicky Pattison and Laura Anderson are among the celebrities and influencers currently caught in Iran’s missile attacks on Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah.

An Iranian missile hit the famous hotel in Dubai on Saturday, as Tehran launched widespread revenge attacks across the Middle East following US airstrikes.

He later added: ‘I just witnessed what looked like a missile flying over my house, it’s surreal that this is actually happening. It looks like a war zone outside. We are afraid, but thank God we are safe. Thank you for all the messages. We’re fine for now.’

Model Hofit Golan, 40, shared chilling footage of rockets and explosions from her hotel balcony after arriving in Dubai a few hours ago.

Hofit recalled: ‘I heard loud explosions and thought, ‘I can’t believe I’m in the safest city in the world and I can’t believe this is happening.’

‘Of course I’m afraid. This is a natural reaction. UAE is supposed to be one of the safest places.

‘You see (explosions) in front of your balcony. ‘Usually you see fireworks, but this is a different way of lighting up the sky.’

Laura Anderson, 36, who came ashore with her two-year-old daughter in the early hours of Saturday, reassured her followers: ‘It’s a terrible situation. ‘Bonnie and I are fine.’

He later added: ‘We heard the bombs today – lots of loud explosions, the house shaking – and for the first time the kids heard it too/ And honestly, that’s when it stops being news and starts feeling real.’

As Iran’s retaliation intensified, the UAE announced that it had ‘partially and temporarily’ closed its airspace as a precaution, leaving thousands of tourists stranded.

Dubai International Airport has been closed amid global flight chaos and smoke was seen rising from the area this morning.

Authorities in Dubai last night reportedly threatened residents who shared videos of the attacks with fines of up to £40,000 or imprisonment, severely limiting the information available from the city.

Laura Anderson, 36, who came ashore with her two-year-old daughter in the early hours of Saturday, wrote about her fears on social media.

British phenomenon Will Bailey, who was near the Fairmont hotel in Dubai, expressed his surprise when the missile fell just meters away from him.

British sensation Will Bailey, who had just landed in Dubai and was sitting by the hotel pool, said: ‘It was just meters away from us. Look at this.

‘This is the Fairmont hotel in Dubai. ‘Oh my God, oh my God.’

He added: ‘Oh, my days at the beach club are such a mental affair. It’s literally directly above us. This is crazy. They were very loud. I have no words. In the safest city in the world. Wow.’

Missiles fired from Tehran hit US military bases in Qatar and also hit Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel, with Iran vowing to launch ‘the most intense offensive operation in history’.

The attacks came after Tehran confirmed that Ali Khamenei, along with his family members and senior military figures, had been killed in joint US-Israeli strikes.

While UK citizens were called for asylum by the British embassy in Doha, Qatar also warned its citizens to stay inside and stay away from military bases.

Britain withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday over security concerns, while staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents were relocated by the Foreign Office.

The UK Government said its priority was the ‘safety of UK citizens’ in the Middle East but that it was ‘prepared to protect our interests’.

A Government spokesman said: ‘Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and we have therefore consistently supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.

‘Our immediate priority is the safety of UK citizens in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance 24/7.

‘As part of our long-standing commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defense capabilities in the region that we have recently strengthened. We are ready to protect our interests.

‘We do not want to see a wider regional conflict escalate further.’