One of the world’s busiest airports was just evacuated after a suspected air strike, and falling debris following a drone interception killed one and injured seven others at a second airport about an hour away.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) said the airport had “sustained minor damage” in an incident on Saturday, which it said was “was quickly contained.”
Videos posted online show debris on the ground outside DXB and smoke filling the terminal as travelers rush to the exits. Others show emergency vehicles on site.
“Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention,” DXB airport said. “Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers.”
The airport said more updates will be provided “as they become available.” It’s unclear if there were other injuries.
At Zayed International Airport (AUH), about 77 miles from DXB, authorities responded to an incident involving the interception of a drone targeting the airport.
“The interception led to falling debris, which resulted in one fatality of an Asian national and seven injuries. Updates will be provided,” AUH officials said in a statement posted on social media.
The attacks came as Iran continues to send missiles across the Middle East in response to joint US-Israel strikes on Saturday, which Trump said had killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Dubai’s other airport, Dubai World Center — Al Maktoum International (DWC), said its operations were suspended until further notice and told passengers not to go to the airport.
Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation said a drone hit Kuwait International Airport earlier Saturday, causing injuries and damage. It added that the site was secure as the airport assessed the damage and needed repairs. It’s unclear if it was an Iranian drone.
Courtesy of Jaiveer Cheema
Emirates passenger Jaiveer Cheema, who has been stuck in Dubai for hours after his flight was canceled amid the air strikes, told Business Insider that he got an alert on his phone around 12:30 a.m. local time that there was a potential missile threat.
The attack on DXB happened soon after. Cheema was at a hotel by then, but said “everyone is taking shelter in the bottom floor of the hotel.”
