Iran launches evening drone assault on Dubai: One man killed and two skyscrapers in flames hours after metropolis’s airport was struck

A night drone attack on two of Dubai’s most upmarket areas left one man dead and two residential skyscrapers in flames last night, after a day which also saw a strike on the city’s airport.

Initially, the UAE government claimed there were no injuries, but the dramatic sight of the buildings with huge palls of smoke coming from threatened to undermine the authorities’ mantra that the Emirate was safe.

Later, it emerged that a driver was killed by falling debris after a drone attack on the 19-storey Azayez Tower in upmarket Al Barsha area, near the well-known Lulu’s Hypermarket.

A huge piece of flaming debris could be seen falling onto the 23 Marina Tower, which caused extensive damage high up on the side of the building.

Flames and smoke could be seen coming from the 88-storey building near Dubai Marina after what the authorities described as a successful interception of a drone.

According to the Dubai Media Office, the fire was quickly contained and there were no casualties in the Marina Tower attack.

Later, the government spokesman confirmed that an ‘Asian’ driver had been killed near the Lulu Hypermarket which is near the Azayez Tower.

Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf despite an earlier apology from President Masoud Pezeshkian, referring to previous strikes, adding the country will ‘no longer attack neighboring countries or launch missiles unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.’

The Emirates had earlier reported ‘incoming missile and drone threats from Iran’.

Dubai International Airport was also forced to close today and passengers were ordered off planes this morning after a suspected Iranian drone strike triggered a huge explosion near the complex. 

British travellers were among those left stranded as flights were halted and terminals evacuated, leaving many scrambling to find a way out of the UAE. 

Tourist Mike Linn from Edinburgh said he came to the airport determined to leave, despite the drone chaos.

‘We saw some stuff online about it while we were back in the hotel and decided to come to the airport anyway, said Mike, 51.

Travelling with his wife Lisa, 49, a clinical researcher, along with two other couples, he added: ‘We’re desperate to get home.

‘We’d been due to return on Tuesday, but various cancellations, meant we were booked on various flights which we don’t think would go.

‘We’ve got a 15-year-old and a 21-year-old back home. The 15-year-old’s staying with friends until we can get back.’

Explosions were reported near the airport around 8am local time (4am GMT), with a fire seen burning close to the site. 

Video circulating online appears to show a projectile heading toward the airport as a man behind the camera shouts: ‘It’s coming, it’s coming to the airport.’ 

Moments later a huge explosion erupts, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air. ‘Oh my God,’ he adds.

Linn said the couple had tried to change their travel plans as the situation worsened.

‘We were meant to be flying back to Edinburgh, but yesterday we managed to book on a flight to Heathrow,’ he said.

‘Then when we arrived at the airport I saw a post on Twitter from Emirates saying flights were cancelled again.’

The airport has since partially reopened. Dubai authorities were quick to claim that there had been ‘no incident’ at the airport, but confirmed there had been a successful interception of a drone, with no injuries reported. 

A commercial flight from Dubai chartered by the UK government for Brits stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could depart early next week, the Foreign Office has confirmed.  

British nationals, their spouse or partner and children under the age of 18 are eligible to register their interest, which is available for a charge.

The flight will be in addition to commercial routes operating out of the UAE.

The latest arrivals join more than 9,000 Britons who have returned from the United Arab Emirates since widespread conflict began in the region.

Two repatriation flights for British nationals have landed on UK soil so far, arriving from Muscat, Oman, with a third set to leave on Saturday.

The first repatriation flight from Oman was delayed by several hours this week, leaving passengers ‘traumatised’ after it had to be grounded on Wednesday as the pilot had ‘exceeded his hours’.

Witnesses claimed people were having panic attacks, while others were banging on windows due to the delays as they desperately tried to return home to loved ones.

Travelling via Cairo, Egypt, the flight finally landed back at Stansted, Essex, at around 12.53am on Friday morning.

The second plane took off from Muscat just hours after the first charter flight arrived in London and touched down on Saturday.   

The Foreign Office says all passengers must hold a valid travel document and non-British dependants will require a valid visa or permission to enter or remain that was granted for more than six months.

People will be contacted by the Foreign Office directly to issue them a ticket and will prioritise those who are vulnerable, such as those with urgent medical needs.