Cameras captured the moment a drone slammed into the runway at Dubai International Airport, forcing authorities to suspend operations for a brief period on Saturday as the US-Iran war in the region entered its eighth day.
Video circulating on social media showed a large plume of smoke after a large explosion at the airport. UAE authorities said an object was intercepted by air defense over the area.
Watch it here:
The video, which HT cannot independently verify, was also published by Qatari news channel Al Jazeera.
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Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international traffic, said it suspended operations on Saturday following the incident.
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Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international traffic, said it suspended operations on Saturday following the incident.
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“For the safety of passengers, airport staff and airline crew, operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) have been temporarily suspended. All procedures are being managed in accordance with established safety protocols,” the Dubai Government Media Office said. Later, the airport announced that it would partially resume services soon after the suspension. “We have partially resumed our operations from today March 7, with some flights operating from DXB and DWC,” he said, referring to Dubai's main airport as well as Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport.
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“For the safety of passengers, airport staff and airline crew, operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) have been temporarily suspended. All procedures are being managed in accordance with established safety protocols,” the Dubai Government Media Office said. Later, the airport announced that it would partially resume services soon after the suspension. “We have partially resumed our operations from today March 7, with some flights operating from DXB and DWC,” he said, referring to Dubai's main airport as well as Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport.
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“Please do not travel to the airport unless you have been contacted by your airline to inform you that your flight is confirmed, as schedules continue to change,” he told passengers.
What the UAE government said
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“Please do not travel to the airport unless you have been contacted by your airline to inform you that your flight is confirmed, as schedules continue to change,” he told passengers.
What the UAE government said
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The UAE government said in another message that there had been “a minor incident resulting from falling debris following an interception”, which caused no injuries.
“The air defenses of the United Arab Emirates are currently responding to missile and drone threats coming from Iran,” said the Emirati Ministry of Defense, without specifying the targets of the attacks.
Tracking website Flightradar24 earlier showed planes circling above the airport in an apparent holding pattern.
Flights from Dubai's main airport had partially resumed on Monday despite daily drone attacks targeting sites in the United Arab Emirates.
Last Saturday, four employees were injured and a terminal was damaged as war erupted in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Operator Dubai Airports said at the time that the incident was “quickly brought under control”, without providing details.
Iranian attacks also hit Abu Dhabi airport, the upscale Palm Jumeirah resort and the luxury Burj Al Arab hotel, while drone debris caused a fire at the US consulate in Dubai on Tuesday.
