Aussie influencer’s viral video from her Dubai lodge is slammed as ‘egocentric’ as battle spreads throughout Middle East
An Australian influencer who shared a video about being scared in Dubai amid ongoing airstrikes has been labelled ‘selfish’ after suggesting the fighting was supposed to be confined to less fortunate countries.
Louise Starkey shared a clip on Instagram from her hotel balcony showing Iranian missiles headed to a target in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
Iran‘s ongoing retaliatory airstrikes on the UAE, in response to the attacks from the US and Israel on its soil, have damaged an international airport terminal and landmark hotels the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah.
In the video, viewed by more than a million people, Starkey filmed herself standing on a balcony while wearing a white robe and clutching her face.
‘I’m scared. I’m actually so scared,’ she said while looking at the drones.
‘It’s not meant to be happening here.
‘Can’t everyone just chill out?’
Starkey clarified that she was in the Jumeirah Village Circle, about 15km from the bomb sites, and had been hearing explosions for several hours but hadn’t seen one of the drones until she started filming.
Louise Starkey (above) shared a video on Saturday
She showed drones headed for Dubai landmarks on the same day the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah were struck
‘I don’t want anyone getting hurt, you know what I mean?’ she said.
‘I’ve been hearing loud explosions in the background all day. The sound – it shakes the windows. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s the weirdest sound ever and now I’m seeing them.
‘This is not fun guys. We’re supposed to be in the safest place.
‘I love the UAE, I love being here, I feel so safe all the time – and now I can see it.
‘Please just stop.’
Commenters were divided over seven words Starkey said, ‘It’s not meant to be happening here’.
‘Not meant to be happening here has to be one of the most selfish statements I have ever heard. As if it’s meant to happen anywhere,’ one wrote.
‘The entitlement. It happens in Gaza, it’s fine. But if it happens to your luxury lifestyle, ‘it’s not meant to happen,’ another said.
‘We trust our leadership, and this phase will pass. Let’s avoid sharing videos that spread fear or panic,’ another wrote.
Iran bombed the Burj Al Arab (above) and Palm Jumeirah in retaliation to US and Israeli strikes on its soil
However, other commenters sympathised with the Aussie.
‘Crazy scenes today that we would’ve never imagined,’ one wrote.
‘It will be over soon. I’m in [Dubai], and I’ve been seeing them all day, but I have a very strong belief that this land is a land of peace and won’t be harmed. It’s just a temporary disturbance that will end soon. Stay strong,’ another said.
‘Hang in there, girly. It’s not nice for anyone. But worry about what you can control! And that’s your mindset,’ another wrote.
The Daily Mail has contacted Starkey for comment.
The Australian Government has raised its travel warning for much of the Middle East to ‘do not travel’ due to the ‘volatile security situation’.
‘Retaliatory strikes are occurring in several countries across the Middle East region, following military strikes on Iran. There is a risk of further reprisal attacks and escalation across the region,’ Smartraveller states.
‘Due to the volatile security situation in the region and military strikes we’ve raised our level of advice for the UAE to do not travel.’
