Fresh explosions rock Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi – as Brits remain trapped in Middle East
Loud explosions were heard in Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi this afternoon as Iran entered its fourth day of attacks on its Gulf neighbors in response to US-Israeli attacks.
According to broadcaster Al Arabiya TV, people in Dubai reported an explosion in the city and warning sirens, while others in the area were also alerted.
Afp reported that explosions were also heard in Abu Dhabi and Doha, and air raid sirens went off in Kuwait.
Reports of explosions in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates today come after the Middle Eastern countries were hit by Iranian missiles over the weekend.
It also comes after relieved passengers hugged loved ones in the arrivals hall after the first British evacuation flight from the UAE touched down at Heathrow Airport last night.
Many spoke of their ‘terrible ordeal’ after being stranded in the region as Iran launched retaliatory attacks on tourist and foreigner hotspots including Dubai and Abu Dhabi at the weekend.
Today, Emirates and Etihad Airways operate just five flights from the Middle East to the UK, compared to the dozens they operate each day. All three flights scheduled to land at Heathrow from Dubai and Abu Dhabi have now been delayed.
Explosions were also reported in Abu Dhabi and Doha, while air raid sirens were sounded in Kuwait. This is the scene where people flocked to the airport in Dubai
Dubai’s Fairmont Palm hotel was hit over the weekend (pictured) as Iran struck tourist sites
Emirates will operate two flights to Heathrow and one each to Gatwick and Manchester. Etihad Airways scheduled a flight from Abu Dhabi to London.
Meanwhile, British Airways and Qatar Airways canceled all scheduled flights between the Middle East and the UK due to their airspace remaining closed.
British tourists caught in chaotic scenes at Dubai Airport have described their nightmare experiences as they tried to return home as the city came under fire from an Iranian drone strike.
Jessica Tennant, 30, from Lincoln, who traveled to the UAE for a two-week holiday with her young children, said: ‘It was incredibly stressful.
‘We have heard absolutely nothing from the government or the airlines. We haven’t had any updates. We look at the news hourly because we are not told anything.
‘We flew with Emirates and had no connection. ‘We’re flying on Thursday but we have no idea if this will go ahead.’
Grandmother Mina Pattni, 62, and her family were staying at the Fairmont Hotel on Palm Jumeirah when a drone or debris struck and started a fire.
‘It was absolutely terrifying,’ said Mina, from Leicester. ‘We were sitting down to eat on Saturday night when we heard some drones or missiles interfering in the air.
‘That was scary enough but just as we ordered there was a massive explosion and we could see that the side of the building had been hit and everyone had to be evacuated until the fire was put out.’
Mina was traveling with her husband Latash, 67, their daughter and son-in-law, and their two grandchildren, Krish, two and 5-month-old Rohin.
‘The children were very scared,’ Mina said. ‘They picked up on the slightly panicked mood from the other guests, but the hotel staff were very nice and still managed to serve cold food even though the gas in the hotel had to be turned off.
‘When our flight home on Sunday was cancelled, we decided to stay with a relative in Dubai to be in a quieter environment, especially for the children.’
Like many other Brits gathered outside DXB Terminal 3 this morning, the Pattnis were hoping to catch an Emirates flight to Heathrow or later to Gatwick.
Passengers gathered outside the busy Emirates terminal, waiting to be called for their flights; they mostly headed for Russia and the Indian subcontinent, but a few also headed for England and Europe.
Many of the people in the crowd laden with luggage criticized the airline’s poor communication but said they could not fault the hotels where they had to extend their stay.
Father and son James, 18, and Jim Dixon, 61, from Leicester, were due to fly from Dubai to the UK on Saturday afternoon and, after checking in, were held at the airport for five hours before being moved to a hotel to begin the long wait.
But as Iranian missiles continued to rain down on the Middle East, some Britons were stranded in Dubai and forced to take shelter in car parks and nightclubs.
Tourists posted videos of drones and debris crashing into luxury hotels over the weekend.
Many escorted their guests through parking lots and service corridors to safer ground. Videos posted on social media show guests sleeping on the floor, a mattress or just a thin blanket.
This is a breaking story, more to come.
