As the conflict between Iran, the US and Israel enters its seventh day, Dubai residents received an alert from the Emirati interior ministry on Friday urging them to seek shelter amid potential missile threats, as Iran continued its retaliatory campaign across the Gulf.
“Due to the current situation, potential missile threats, seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building and steer away from windows, doors and open areas,” the alert stated, according to AFP.
This comes after United Arab Emirates’ Defence Ministry on Thursday stating that one ballistic missile and six drones struck the country’s territory. It added that its forces intercepted six missiles and 131 drones the same day, and hundreds more since the conflict began. Earlier this week, shrapnel from intercepted cruise missiles killed three residents, while falling debris in recent days has injured 94 others, the ministry said.
The UAE mentioned that three civilians, foreign workers from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, have been killed. At least 68 others have been injured, according to AP.
Meanwhile, Indian airlines on Friday stepped up support for travellers affected by the situation as tensions in West Asia escalated. While IndiGo has offered a month-long window for free cancellations and rescheduling until March 31, SpiceJet has arranged 14 special flights from Fujairah and Dubai to help stranded Indian nationals return home.
(This is a developing story. More to come)