An explosion was heard near Dubai International Airport on Saturday, sending a cloud of smoke into the sky and sparking panic among travelers and staff.
According to a witness who spoke to AFP, the blast occurred as tensions escalated across the Gulf region following renewed attacks linked to Iran.
Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 showed several aircraft circling above the airport in holding patterns, suggesting temporary disruption to flight operations.
Earlier in the week, limited flights had resumed at the airport—considered the world’s busiest hub for international travel—despite ongoing drone attacks targeting parts of the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement posted on X, the Dubai Media Office described the situation as a “minor incident” caused by falling debris after an interception. The office also dismissed circulating reports suggesting a major explosion at the airport.
Last Saturday, four airport staff were injured and a concourse sustained damage as regional hostilities intensified following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran.
Authorities at Dubai Airports said the earlier incident had been quickly contained but did not release additional details.
Recent attacks linked to Iran have also affected several high-profile locations in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi International Airport, the luxury resort area Palm Jumeirah, and the iconic Burj Al Arab. Drone debris also reportedly sparked a fire at the United States Consulate General Dubai earlier this week.
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