British influencer Will Bailey

Dubai — the glittering playground of influencers and luxury travellers — has been rocked by explosions, fires and missile strikes after Iran launched attacks on the United Arab Emirates.

Just days ago the city’s skyline was the backdrop for glossy Instagram posts. Now it is shrouded in smoke, fear and chaos.

A ferocious blaze erupted yesterday afternoon near the entrance of the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel as Iranian bombs rained down in retaliation for US-Israel strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The normally glamorous resort area of Palm Jumeirah was suddenly plunged into crisis as flames climbed several storeys into the sky. Thick black smoke billowed above the luxury complex, where rooms usually cost around £292 a night.

Ambulances rushed to the scene and four people were injured before being taken to hospital. Dubai Civil Defence later confirmed the fire was brought under control.

But the danger didn’t stop there.

Dubai International Airport — the busiest airport in the world — was reportedly hit by another blast today, just hours after earlier strikes that killed one person and injured seven.

Videos circulating online showed passengers fleeing through smoke-filled corridors toward emergency exits while alarms blared in the background.

One woman appeared with blood on her face as she tried to escape the terminal. Lounges normally packed with travellers were suddenly empty.

A drone interception also sparked a minor blaze on the outer facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel, the famous sail-shaped landmark often dubbed the world’s first “seven-star” hotel.

Authorities confirmed debris from the intercepted drone caused the fire, which was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported.

Elsewhere in the city, debris from another aerial interception caused a fire at a berth at Jebel Ali Port, one of the world’s busiest deep-sea ports. Fire crews are still working to fully extinguish the blaze.

Iran’s top security official Ari Larijani warned the attacks may only be the beginning.

Posting on X, he said Iranian missiles fired earlier “did hurt” but warned the country would strike the US and Israel “with a force they have never experienced before.”

While it remains unclear exactly which targets Iran is aiming for, the UAE hosts a significant US military presence, making it a potential target.

For thousands of tourists and influencers, the shock has been overwhelming.

Guests at the Fairmont The Palm were evacuated overnight and forced to sleep on mattresses in basements and car parks as authorities urged residents to take shelter.

British influencer Will Bailey filmed the aftermath of the blaze near a beach club.

“That was metres away from us,” he told followers. “Oh my God… in the safest city in the world.”

Another influencer, Leah Mai, posted online: “Every so often you get reminded that you’re really in the middle of a war zone.”

Reality TV star Vicky Pattison is also stranded in Dubai after her flight was cancelled while she attempted to travel to Australia.

She told followers she was safe but admitted the unfolding situation was “scary”.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu described her own frightening ordeal at Dubai airport after an explosion erupted nearby.

“My coach was barely about 100 metres away when it happened,” she said. “Experiencing something like this in such close quarters truly shakes you.”

Authorities have now warned residents — including roughly 240,000 British nationals living in the UAE — to stay indoors.

The UK Foreign Office has advised British citizens in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait to remain in secure locations, avoid travel and follow instructions from local authorities.

Residents say the atmosphere in the city has changed dramatically.

Samantha Dicomo, an Italian furniture designer who has lived in Dubai for eight years, said the explosions were so powerful they shook the walls of her home.

“I heard a huge sound,” she said. “The walls trembled… at first I thought it was an earthquake.”

She says she heard at least four explosions as streets emptied and people rushed indoors.

Airspace closures have now left many residents trapped.

“Nobody is coming in, and nobody’s going out,” she said. “We’re all stuck here.”

Key Takeaways

• Iranian strikes have hit Dubai, sparking fires, explosions and airport chaos.

• Tourists and celebrities are stranded as airspace closures halt flights.

• Iran warns far stronger attacks could follow after Khamenei’s death.

Original source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/

Dubai bomb-by-bomb as influencers hide in carparks and tourists have no escape

Fancy that - influencers getting bombed as well!

Should be good for some shock horror Instagram posts, and of course reliving the trauma on various breakfast TV sofas!

Any one got any idea what the death toll amongst the civilian population of Iran is?