Witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing a plume of smoke rise from Dubai’s iconic man-made island, the Palm Jumeirah, on Saturday as Iran launched counter offensive after US-Israel strikes. Authorities confirmed that four people were injured in an incident at the landmark location, news agency AFP reported.
The blast came amid heightened regional tensions after Iran carried out retaliatory strikes across the oil-rich Gulf in response to US and Israeli attacks, unsettling a region long viewed as a bastion of stability.
One witness told AFP that thick black smoke billowed from a hotel on the Palm, while the sound of ambulances racing toward the area followed shortly after.
Several loud bangs were later heard across the city, according to residents and AFP journalists.
Dubai’s media office confirmed an “incident” at a building in the Palm Jumeirah area that triggered a fire. “Dubai Civil Defence has confirmed that the resulting fire is now under control. Four individuals sustained injuries and have been transferred to medical facilities,” the statement said.
The incident at one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks sent shockwaves through the city, home to a population that is about 90 percent expatriate and synonymous with luxury, tourism and global commerce.
Iran has since launched strikes across Gulf states, sparing only Oman, which has played a mediating role in US-Iran talks.
