Amid the retaliatory strikes on Dubai and multiple other cities across the Middle East after a joint U.S.-Israeli attack targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, four people were injured in a direct hit to Dubai International Airport (DUB).
The busiest airport in the world for international traffic has been closed since the early hours of Feb. 28 amid a wider airspace closure over wide swaths of Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Israel.
In the late hours of Saturday night, United Arab Emirates authorities have confirmed “an incident” Dubai International that injured four. Dramatic images that quickly spread on social media also show airport workers and any other people left behind at the airport after it closed down running amid a flume of smoke amid ongoing strikes in multiple locations in the country.
“A concourse at Dubai International sustained minor damage”
Visible debris and damage to one of the terminal areas can also be seen in the clips.
“A concourse at Dubai International sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,” Dubai Airports said in a statement on the incident published on Saturday night. “Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers.”
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Amid widespread chaos across the region, the airport or UAE authorities have not released additional information on the situation. Local and international airlines have canceled approximately 900 flights into the region throughout the weekend as an emergency alert sent to every phone in Dubai and Abu Dhabi advised anyone in the area to “seek immediate shelter” at the nearest available location.
“Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention,” the airport said further. “Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers.”
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Early reporting shows that the five-star Burj Al Arab hotel in the luxury Jumeirah Beach neighborhood was also hit by drone debris in a fire that caused no injuries and was immediately put out.
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Local airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and flyDubai have also canceled all service throughout the first days of March amid a highly volatile situation and early reports around Khamenei’s death.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities,” Emirates said in a statement on the situation that also urges travelers to monitor the status of their flight booking. “We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any in convenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements.”
Flights into or out of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), a smaller airport southwest of the capital that is used primarily for cargo and private jet flights, are also suspended until further notice. A passenger advisory urges anyone with booked flights “not to travel to the airport and to contact their airline for the latest information on flights and travel options.”
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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