A missile attack has left one dead and seven injured at significant airports in the United Arab Emirates, occurring amid a wave of retaliatory strikes from Iran across the region.
At Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, officials confirmed the death of an Asian national and mentioned several injuries linked to what was labeled an "incident" on Saturday night.
In an official announcement, authorities said, "Abu Dhabi Airports has confirmed that an incident occurred at Zayed International Airport resulting in one fatality involving an Asian national and seven injuries. The public is urged to avoid spreading rumors and to rely on official updates."
A separate explosion also impacted Dubai International Airport, recognized as the busiest airport for international travel, causing smoke to fill a terminal and necessitating evacuations. The Dubai Media Office acknowledged that the incident caused "minor damage" in a concourse that was quickly managed.
Officials stated, "Emergency response teams were promptly deployed and are currently coordinating the situation with relevant authorities. Four staff members were injured and received immediate medical assistance. Due to existing safety protocols, most terminals had already been cleared of passengers. Updates will follow as they become available."
Online videos depicted smoke and debris in Terminal 3, showing passengers and staff fleeing. Earlier in the day, flights had been suspended as airspace closures in the region disrupted travel plans, impacting around 250,000 travelers daily at Dubai International Airport.
Additionally, Bahrain’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed that Bahrain International Airport had also been a target. They reported, "Drone attacks aimed at Bahrain International Airport resulted in material damage without casualties, while authorities are securing the area."
These attacks ensued following Iran's proclamation of having "no red lines" in response to extensive military operations from the U.S. and Israel earlier that day. Iran unleashed missiles and drones targeting various nations in the Gulf region, directed at U.S. military facilities and crucial infrastructure.
Numerous tourists found themselves stranded as the closures of Iranian and Iraqi airspaces compelled planes to alter their routes mid-flight. Witnesses in Abu Dhabi reported hearing loud detonations, while hotels provided refreshments to their guests who were advised to stay indoors due to the risk of falling debris from missiles.
One British Airways passenger, Mike Boreham, recounted his experience, stating he was already aboard flight BA108 from Dubai to Heathrow when an announcement was made. “We were all on board,” he remarked. “The flight was completely full. About ten minutes after announcing that boarding was complete, we were informed that airspace was closed.”
Earlier, officials released visuals of intercepted rocket fragments scattered across streets in the UAE. The airport incidents followed a missile strike on the luxurious Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai, which resulted in injuries to four individuals due to debris from Iran's missile strikes.
Explosions were also reported in various Iranian cities, including Tehran, following failed diplomatic efforts aimed at restraining Iran’s nuclear activities earlier this week. As missile exchanges heightened and critical transport centers faced threats, regional leaders have urged citizens to adhere to official instructions as the precarious situation continues to evolve.
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