Bold headline: Holidaymakers in Dubai describe the terrifying reality of missile strikes and the unsettling aftermath.
A police call handler from Lincolnshire, who is currently vacationing in Dubai, has recounted the sheer horror of hearing explosions from her hotel as missile strikes struck the Middle East. Jade Angell-Beans, a resident of Lincoln, spent the night sheltering in a hotel basement after an emergency alarm ordered guests to take cover on Saturday.
Iran launched attacks on Gulf states in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes that began the same day. Meanwhile, Mick Brommell from Billinghay, Lincolnshire, who is also visiting Dubai, witnessed missiles being shot down behind his hotel and described the scene as surreal.
By Sunday morning, Angell-Beans and other guests at Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites were directed to seek shelter in a basement. She recalled hearing a relentless sequence of explosions: “bang after bang after bang.” She added that the turmoil left people in shock, some vomiting, and others lying on the floor in fear, underscoring how overwhelming the violence felt.
Photographs and reports indicated that the Fairmont The Palm on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah was among the targets hit on Saturday as Iran launched strikes across the region. Debris from an intercepted drone caused a minor fire on the outer facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel, according to authorities.
Brommell and his wife Tina, who arrived in the city the day before, were staying opposite the Fairmont. He described witnessing missiles in the sky being shot down and explosions appearing behind hotels, calling the spectacle “surreal” and “pretty scary,” like watching a video replay of events.
Flight operations in and out of airports serving Dubai, Tel Aviv, Doha, and other regional hubs have been suspended amid the escalation. The UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals to avoid all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, while those already in the region have been told to shelter.
Angell-Beans expressed ongoing concern, saying, “We have no idea what’s happening, and we’re just worried.” She described feeling continually on edge, noting that the silence and uncertainty were increasing her anxiety about what might come next.
Brommell said he plans to return to the UK on Thursday and suggested they may need to sleep in the underground car park again that night, expressing relief at the prospect of eventually being back home.
This account highlights how travelers can be thrust into unexpected danger far from home, turning a vacation into a period of uncertainty and fear. It also underscores the broader implications for air travel and regional safety during times of heightened conflict.
Would you feel confident traveling to regions experiencing geopolitical tensions, or would you adjust your plans to prioritize safety and flexibility? Share your thoughts in the comments.
