A major incident has rocked Dubai’s renowned Palm Jumeirah area after what appears to be a strike by an Iranian-origin drone or missile debris near the luxury Fairmont The Palm hotel, authorities and eyewitnesses report.
Details of the Incident
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Smoke and flames were seen rising near the Fairmont The Palm hotel late Saturday as the UAE faced a broader wave of Iranian drone and missile attacks in retaliation to recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
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Four people were injured in the blaze and were taken to hospital, Dubai officials confirmed.
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It is not yet fully confirmed whether the building was directly hit by a drone or by debris from an intercepted projectile, but multiple eyewitness accounts and journalists on the ground report that a projectile struck close to the hotel.
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Emergency crews swiftly responded and secured the scene, and officials say the fire is now under control.
Regional Context
The incident comes amid an unprecedented escalation in the Middle East after Iran launched a series of missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region — including strikes near U.S. military bases and allied positions — in response to a joint U.S.–Israel military offensive earlier in the day.
Several Gulf states, including the UAE, intercepted incoming Iranian missiles and drones, though fragments have fallen in populated areas in and around Dubai, causing fires and panic among residents and tourists.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses on the Palm Jumeirah island reported a loud explosion and thick smoke, prompting local authorities to advise residents and visitors to take shelter and follow safety instructions from emergency services.
UAE Response
Dubai’s media office said that civil defence and emergency response teams acted immediately and are continuing to monitor the situation as part of coordinated security operations in the city.
