A drone attack on two of Dubai's most affluent districts killed one man and sparked fires in luxury skyscrapers overnight, just hours after a separate strike targeted the city's airport. The attacks sent shockwaves through the emirate, with dramatic footage showing thick plumes of smoke pouring from high-rise buildings.
Authorities initially said there were no injuries, but later confirmed that a man had been killed after debris fell from a drone strike on the 19-storey Azayez Tower in the Al Barsha district. Government officials said the victim was an 'Asian' driver who was struck by falling debris.
Elsewhere in the city, a large flaming fragment was seen crashing into the side of the 23 Marina Tower, a huge residential skyscraper rising 88 storeys above Dubai Marina. Video from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from the tower shortly after what officials described as a successful interception of a drone. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control and there were no casualties from that incident.
The strikes come as Iran continues to launch missiles and drones across the Gulf despite an earlier apology from President Masoud Pezeshkian for previous attacks. He said Iran would 'no longer attack neighbouring countries or launch missiles unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.'
As the conflict escalates, efforts are continuing to bring British nationals home from the region. The Foreign Office confirmed that a UK government-chartered flight could leave Dubai early next week to evacuate Britons stranded in the United Arab Emirates. British nationals, along with their spouse or partner and children under 18, can register their interest in seats on the flight, although passengers will have to pay for the journey.
More than 9,000 Britons have already returned home since the conflict erupted across the Middle East. Two government evacuation flights have so far landed in the UK after departing from Muscat in Oman, with a third aircraft scheduled to leave on Saturday. The first repatriation flight experienced significant delays earlier this week after the pilot exceeded permitted flying hours.
