Multiple explosions have been reported in Dubai as witnesses describe hearing ‘booms’ and seeing ‘huge smoke’.
Explosions and fire in Jebel Ali
Explosions were first reported at around 2:40am local time on Wednesday, August 5 (11:40pm on Tuesday, August 4 in the UK). Eyewitnesses have since reported a building is on fire in the Jebel Ali industrial area, around 25 miles southwest of Dubai city centre.
The cause of the explosions and fire has not yet been explained by authorities. Emergency services appear to be at the scene of the incident, with neighbours posting online they ‘heard fire truck sirens’.
Eyewitness accounts
One said: “It’s in the Jebel Ali industrial area, I can see the building on fire. The last boom, the seventh one, was like 20 minutes ago. Authorities are responding, I heard fire truck sirens.”
Another said they heard ‘at least 4-5 blasts heard in the Jebel Ali region’. The bangs were heard in nearby Al Furjan, according to reports.
Impact on British expats
Images shared online show smoke billowing across the cityscape, with videos reportedly showing firefighters battling a blaze in the area.
Dubai is a popular location for British expats, with an estimated 240,000 calling the Emirati city home, making the UK the largest community of Europeans in the country.
