Dubai International Airport is being evacuated after ‘an incident’ amid reports that it was hit by an Iranian suicide drone as Tehran launched UAV strikes across the Middle East today in retaliation for US air strikes.
Dramatic footage shows passengers at Dubai’s primary international airport fleeing one of its terminals, with airport officials confirming four members of staff have been injured.
Videos posted on social media also show smoke filling the terminal at the airport, which is one of the busiest in the world.
Other images show parts of the airport deserted after passengers were forced to evacuate the terminal, which has been left damaged by the incident.
‘Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,’ a statement read.
‘Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities.
‘Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention.
‘Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers. Further updates will be provided as they become available.’
Dramatic footage shows passengers at Dubai’s primary international airport fleeing the airport following reports of a strike on one of its terminals
Images show passengers leaving the airport in Dubai after one its terminals was hit by an Iranian drone
The terminal at Dubai International Airport is seen covered in smoke after being hit by an Iranian drone
The airport in Dubai is deserted after being evacuated after being hit in an Iranian revenge attack
Dubai Airports earlier today suspended all flights at Dubai International and at Al Maktoum International until further notice, urging passengers not to travel following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Earlier today, Dubai Airports urged passengers not to travel and suspended all flights at Dubai International and at Al Maktoum International until further notice.
It comes after US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran.
The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles targeting Israel and countries across the Middle East.
British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should register their presence with the UK Government to receive updates on the situation in the Middle East, the Foreign Office has said.
In a statement published on X on Saturday night, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 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.’
Major airlines have cancelled flights to the region over the coming days, and UK airports are advising passengers to keep in touch with their airlines for updates.
In a statement on its website, the FCDO said: ‘Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine.
British nationals in the region are urged to take ‘sensible precautions’, including following advice from regional authorities, staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents are up to date.
The advice on the FCDO website also warned British nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait to ‘immediately shelter in place’.
‘Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,’ the update read.
The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran.
In a televised address on Saturday evening, the Israeli Prime Minister said that airstrikes in Iran had destroyed the Supreme Leader’s compound, and added that ‘all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us.’
Iran has so far launched revenge attacks across the region, with missile strikes in Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudia Arabia.
The world-famous five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont hotel in Dubai was hit by a Shahed suicide drone launched from Iran, leaving four injured.
Another popular hotel in Dubai, the Burj Al-Arab hotel is also on fire after being ‘hit by an Iranian suicide drone’.
Suicide drones also attacked residential skyscrapers in Bahrain, with missiles launched from Iran hitting US bases in Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.
Footage captured the moment the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit, and the front of the building’s exterior was set ablaze by an ultra-fast Shahed drone.
The attack came as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following the joint US-Israel attack on Tehran earlier today.
Tehran has struck the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, and claims to have hit bases across the region including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Footage shows the Burj Al-Arab hotel ablaze after being hit by a suspected Shahed suicide drone launched from Iran hours after US and Israeli air strikes hit Tehran
The Palm Jumeirah Fairmont hotel was hit by a Shahed suicide drone launched from Iran hours after US and Israeli air strikes hit Tehran
Suicide drones also attacked residential skyscrapers in Bahrain
Smoke rises from a burning building in Bahrain, believed to be the luxury apartment building Era View Tower hit by an Iranian drone strike
Footage captured the moment the five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was hit and set ablaze by an Iranian missile
Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances rushed to the scene
A huge fireball erupted towards the top of the high-rise building, with debris scattering and falling onto the surrounding area below. It is not known at this stage if there are any casualties
Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain
The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran.
Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said unnamed Israeli sources revealed there were ‘growing indications’ the leader had been killed during this morning’s air strikes or that he was ‘hurt at the very least‘.
Iran has so far launched revenge attacks across the region, with missile strikes in Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudia Arabia.
Videos posted on social media show the famous Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel – which is popular with tourists – on fire, with plumes of smoke billowing into the sky, something Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned in a call with her Emirati counterpart.
The sheer speed of the missile – which is said to be able to fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound – can be heard on video footage cutting through the air before blasting into the hotel.
Located a half-an-hour drive from Dubai International Airport, rooms at the opulent hotel average £292 a night, while guests wanting a more upmarket stay in the presidential suite can spend closer to £828 a night.
The hotel is located on Dubai’s famed man-made island The Palm.
Hundreds of thousands of British nationals are currently thought to be present in the Gulf.
