A British mother has shared her harrowing experience of being stranded with her young children in the United Arab Emirates during the escalating Iran-US conflict, while returning from a trip to India. Hannah Connell, 43, from southwest London, described the rescue mission as a shambles, with poor coordination and wasted seats on their flight back to the UK.
Trapped in Abu Dhabi Amid Missile Threats
Ms Connell, who owns an interiors and lifestyle shop called Split Figs in the Surrey village of Shere, traveled to Jaipur, India, for a two-week business trip with her husband James, 45, and their children Ivy, 10, and George, seven. On their return journey, they took advantage of Etihad Airways' extended stopover offer, staying at the Aloft hotel in Abu Dhabi's embassy district for a relaxing break before flying home.
However, their plans were shattered on Saturday morning when they heard loud booms by the rooftop pool. "Everyone looked up and we saw small white puffs of smoke in the sky," Ms Connell recalled. "A man nearby said it was a missile being intercepted, not a training exercise. Your only instinct as a parent is to get your children somewhere safe."
Chaotic Evacuation and Flight Cancellations
The situation worsened early on Sunday when emergency alerts woke the family, warning of a missile threat and instructing them to shelter in place. Their scheduled flight to London Heathrow was cancelled, along with dozens of others. Ms Connell said, "We later learned there had been an attempted strike near the airport and that people had been injured."
On Monday, after hearing that one flight had departed for London, Ms Connell realized repatriation-style flights were operating. By chance, an Etihad representative at their hotel informed them of 12 flights scheduled for the next day, including one to London at 10:40 am, but could not guarantee seats. At 3 am, more emergency alerts and explosions woke them, but this time, an email confirmed their seats on the morning flight, requiring them to be at the airport four hours early.
Surreal Airport Scene and Terrifying Flight
The family packed immediately and took a taxi, unsure if the airport was even open. "It was a leap of faith," Ms Connell admitted. Upon arrival, Abu Dhabi airport was "surreal" – shops and cafes were open with lights blazing, but only passengers from two flights were present, creating an eerily quiet atmosphere reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the flight, Ms Connell described it as "terrifying", with no special announcement from the captain for reassurance. "Until we were well clear of the region, I watched the flight map constantly. I felt completely exposed," she said. Strangely, there were many empty seats; from her view, she could see at least 15 to 20 in their section alone. "Given how many people were desperate to leave, that was upsetting," she added, suggesting poor coordination between British authorities and the airline.
Lack of System and Feelings of Guilt
Ms Connell criticized the lack of a structured system to prioritize vulnerable individuals, such as pregnant women or those with medical needs, during the registration process. "It didn't feel structured," she noted. She also expressed guilt for managing to leave while friends remained trapped, highlighting a strong sense of camaraderie among those stranded.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms Connell said, "I feel acutely aware of my privilege. As frightening as it was – and as a mother trying to protect your children, it was truly terrifying – we were in a hotel with clean water and food. I can't imagine what it must be like for families in active war zones without support. That perspective has stayed with me."
The family returned to London Heathrow on Tuesday morning, ending a traumatic journey that exposed flaws in emergency evacuation procedures during international conflicts.
