British Celebrities in Dubai Terrified by Iranian Missile Strikes
British television personality Luisa Zissman has revealed she was forced to retreat to her basement in Dubai after hearing four massive explosions while out at a park with her children. The 38-year-old has been keeping fans updated on her situation following Iranian missile strikes that began targeting the famous Palm Jumeirah area this weekend.
Surreal and Scary Experience
In her most terrifying post yet, Luisa described how she is having to keep her children entertained indoors after fleeing the park due to the explosions. She branded the experience surreal and scary while sharing her hopes that UAE defence systems will keep everyone in the area safe.
Sharing a picture of one of her children baking, she said: Home baked bread rolls. Keeping the kids entertained and indoors. We got itchy feet and went to take them to the park and literally as we went to step foot out the door we heard two massive explosions that shook the house, we retreated and then heard another two. So now movie time in the basement. So surreal and scary. I do faith that UAE defence will keep us all safe.
Celebrity Reactions to the Attacks
A host of British celebrities who have moved to Dubai have shared terrified updates after getting caught up in the air attacks, which are now in their second day. Luisa, Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone, and Love Island star Arabella Chi are among the group of stars who have expressed their fears, describing being stuck in widespread revenge attacks across the Middle East following US airstrikes.
Many have called it the scariest, worst nights of our lives, speaking of how frightened they were hearing constant bangs overhead while sheltering in their homes as strikes rage on across the UAE. While reassuring followers they are currently safe as air defence systems intercept the vast majority of incoming missiles and drones, they emphasized how terrifying it was to listen to explosions all night long.
Luisa, who announced in December last year she was relocating from the UK to Dubai with her family and horses to escape British weather and rising crime, has been leading the celebrity updates about the current circumstances.
Petra Ecclestone's Terrifying Account
Taking to Instagram Stories to discuss the developing situation, Petra Ecclestone said: It was one of the most scary, worst nights actually of my life. I feel like us and the family have been through a lot recently for personal reasons. We came to Dubai to feel safe, and we finally felt like we were settling in, and now this has happened. So it's really kind of been a shocking turn of events.
Petra went on to explain she doesn't know how to explain what is happening to her young children, Lavinia, James, Andrew and Minnie, who are living with her in Dubai. She said: I don't have the answers to certain things, and that was terrible — just being asked what's going to happen next, whether it's going to stop, and hearing the bangs in the night. I think just trying to protect them and tell them that they're going to be okay. But then as a mum, obviously you don't have all the answers. So yeah, that was tough.
Other Celebrity Responses
Petra's husband Sam Palmer also used his platform to discuss the strikes, telling followers that military forces were doing a great job defending the area. He said: Thanks very much for the lovely messages. We are all safe, although something that hate of mine is when people say, stay safe, like as if it's an option. What do you think you can do, run around with a target on your back?
Reality personality Arabella Chi explained that her brother who was visiting her is now stuck in Dubai until the situation is resolved. Sharing her own perspective, she said: I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who has messaged us. It honestly means more than you know. It's such a scary time out here at the moment. The past 24 hours have been something I've never experienced in my life.
Background of the Attacks
Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and suicide drones at Dubai as it continues its onslaught across the Middle East following the assassination of its Supreme Leader. Smoke was rising from Dubai International Airport this morning with blasts heard in numerous regional states, as Iran vowed to unleash its most intense offensive operation in history.
Tehran is launching revenge strikes after confirming Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed by joint US-Israeli strikes, along with four of his family members and at least two high-level military leaders. Yesterday, Iranian suicide drones hit landmark hotels including the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, sparking panic among tourists.
Explosions were again echoing across the city this morning, which has become a haven for wealthy British expats, as it suffers renewed attacks. Both airports in Dubai are currently closed and flights are suspended due to safety concerns, with authorities telling residents and tourists not to attempt to travel.
Additional Celebrity Experiences
Love Island alum Sammy Root reflected on his poorly-timed visit to Dubai as he revealed it was his first day in the UAE when the strikes began. Sharing the unfortunate nature of his situation, Sammy wrote: First ever day in Dubai, get me out of Dubai immediately.
Kady McDermott, who moved to Dubai in late 2025 to live with her partner Henry Simmons, also posted about the strikes. She said: Thank you for all of the messages asking about my safety it means a lot, scary times to be in the UAE and seeing missiles flown above your head. The UAE government are doing an amazing job at keeping everyone safe by intercepting the missiles.
On the first day of the attacks, Israeli socialite Hofit Golan posted footage from her hotel balcony of rockets and explosions hitting the hotel hours after arriving. Sharing further updates this morning, Hofit revealed that her building's alarm was sounding at 6.30am but she had no idea where to go.
Regional Impact and Defence Efforts
Explosions have been heard for a second day in Qatar, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq, and in Oman for the first time, though most missiles and drones have been downed by air defences. Iran also launched two missiles towards Cyprus, which hosts British military bases, as confirmed by Defence Secretary John Healey this morning.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that debris from drones intercepted by air defences had fallen onto two homes in the city, injuring two people, and also sparked a fire at the major Jebel Ali port. Dramatic footage showed an interception near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and a fire broke out at the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel.
The UAE's Ministry of Defence said that, as of late last night, 137 ballistic missiles had been launched by Iran towards the Emirates, of which 132 had been destroyed by air defences and five fell into the Persian Gulf. It said it had also been targeted by 209 suicide drones of which 195 were intercepted and 14 got through, with some hitting the territory.
