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Full list of places where explosions were heard in Dubai today
From luxury hotels to the world’s busiest international airport, many of Dubai’s recognisable landmarks were affected by falling debris or aerial interceptions.
Explosions and drone interceptions were reported across Dubai on Saturday as Iranian retaliatory strikes spread across the Gulf following joint US-Israeli attacks on Tehran.
From luxury hotels to the world’s busiest international airport, several of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks were affected by falling debris or aerial interceptions. Authorities stressed that most projectiles were intercepted and that emergency response systems functioned as designed.
Track Live Updates on Dubai explosions and US-Iran conflict here
Here is the confirmed list of locations in Dubai where explosions were heard or damage was reported:
1) Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah was among the first major areas where a fire was reported on Saturday evening.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that an “incident” in a building on the Palm caused a fire. Dubai Civil Defence teams responded immediately and secured the site. Four people were injured and transferred to medical facilities.
Witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke rising from a five-star hotel. Hours later, another blast was reported close to the same building after what appeared to be a drone fell from the sky.
Authorities said the fire was brought under control.
2) Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab sustained minor damage after a drone was intercepted.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that debris from the intercepted drone caused a small fire on the hotel’s outer facade. Civil Defence teams extinguished the blaze promptly. No injuries were reported.
The sail-shaped hotel, one of Dubai’s most recognisable symbols since its opening in 1999, saw police deployed at its entrance as a precaution.
3) Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International Airport sustained minor damage during the overnight incidents, officials said.
Dubai Airports confirmed that a concourse at DXB was affected but that the incident was “quickly contained.” Emergency teams were deployed immediately.
Four staff members were injured and received prompt medical attention. Due to prior airspace closures and contingency plans already in place, most passenger areas had been cleared.
Aviation sources told Reuters that one of the terminals sustained damage during the overnight attacks. Flights across the region were suspended, and tracking maps showed large swathes of Gulf airspace virtually empty.
4) Jebel Ali Port
Jebel Ali Port also caught fire after debris from an aerial interception fell on one of its berths.
The Dubai Media Office said Dubai Civil Defence teams responded immediately and are continuing efforts to fully extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported.
Authorities urged the public not to circulate an old video from a 7 July 2021 fire at Jebel Ali Port, warning that doing so could spread misleading information.
Jebel Ali is a major commercial hub and regularly hosts US naval vessels.
5) Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa area)
Explosions were widely heard in central Dubai, including around the Burj Khalifa district.
While no confirmed structural damage was reported to the tower itself in the latest official updates, residents in Downtown described loud blasts and shaking windows as missiles were intercepted overhead.
The tower had earlier been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Also read: Why Dubai authorities asked people to vacate world's tallest building Burj Khalifa
6) Sheikh Zayed Road corridor
Residents along Sheikh Zayed Road reported hearing blasts and seeing interceptions in the sky.
High-rise clusters near major hotels and commercial buildings experienced window vibrations, though no confirmed structural damage was announced for this stretch.
Dubai explosions: What authorities said
The UAE said 137 missiles and 209 drones were launched toward its territory, with the majority intercepted by air defence systems.
Dubai authorities repeatedly stressed that:
- The situation remains under control.
- Emergency response systems were activated immediately.
- Most damage resulted from debris of intercepted drones or missiles.
- The public should rely only on verified official information.
Dubai’s airport and seaport together account for roughly 60 percent of the emirate’s revenues, underscoring the significance of the affected locations.
US-Iran war
The blasts in Dubai came as Iran launched missile attacks targeting US-linked sites in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The strikes followed US-Israeli military operations in Tehran, named “Operation Epic Fury” by the Pentagon.
Across the Gulf, sirens sounded, airspace shut down and flights were cancelled as one of the region’s most serious escalations in recent years unfolded.
