The Dubai International Airport, the landmark Burj Al Arab hotel, the Jebel Ali Port and a building in the Palm Jumeirah island sustained damage in overnight Iranian retaliatory attacks following the Israel-United States military operation on Saturday, the administration in Dubai said on Sunday.
Three persons – one each from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh – were killed in Iranian drone strikes, the United Arab Emirates’ defence ministry said. Indian citizens were among 58 persons who sustained minor injuries, it added.
On Saturday, Israel and the US launched a joint operation to target the Iranian regime, claiming that they were doing so to remove “existential threats to Israel”. Iran retaliated to the attacks and said that the US-Israeli operation had begun while the nuclear negotiations were on.
The United Arab Emirates said that 137 missiles and 209 drones were fired at its territory by Iran, most of them intercepted by defence systems, AFP reported. Iran fired missiles at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, Reuters reported.
In Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, at least one person was killed and seven others were injured in an “incident” triggered by the interception of a drone at Zayed International Airport, the authorities said on Sunday.
“The interception led to falling debris, which resulted in one fatality of an Asian national and seven injuries,” the airport said in a statement.
In Dubai, at least ten persons were injured in the incidents.
Four airport staffers were injured after a concourse at the Dubai airport sustained minor damage in an “incident”, the administration said.
Due to contingency measures and the closure of the United Arab Emirates’ airspace, most passenger terminals had already been cleared.
Indian badminton player PV Sindhu said on Sunday that she was stranded at Dubai International Airport while en route to Birmingham for the All England Open. She said she was safe and has been moved to a secure place.
Earlier, she wrote on social media that there had been an explosion “close to where we were holed up at the airport”. “My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was the closest to the smoke and debris”, Sindhu had said. “It was an extremely tense and scary moment for all of us.”
She added that the “ordeal continues to unfold” and that the situation was becoming “more frightening by the hour”.
Video shows smoke in Dubai amid reports of explosion. https://t.co/9eLMDikl1A pic.twitter.com/wiJopYpxZP
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 1, 2026 Four persons were injured on the Palm Jumeirah after debris from an intercepted drone led to a fire in a building. The administration in Dubai confirmed that an “incident” took place at the site.
Two persons were injured after debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell in the courtyards of two homes in Dubai, the administration said in a social media post.
It also added that debris from an intercepted drone caused a “minor fire on the Burj Al Arab’s outer facade”. No injuries were reported at the hotel and the fire was brought under control.
BREAKING:
Iranian suicide drone strikes the famous “6 star hotel” Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.”
The 60-story hotel is now on fire. pic.twitter.com/3opWoOwFe0
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) February 28, 2026 Debris from an aerial interception also caused a fire at one of the berths at Jebel Ali Port, the administration in Dubai said. Adding that no injuries were reported at the site.
On Sunday, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi advised all Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates to “avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories”.
With Dubai’s airspace temporarily closed, passengers have been advised to check directly with their respective airlines for updates, the Consulate General of India in Dubai posted on social media.
Airline helpline numbers are: Emirates (+971600555555), Etihad (+971600555666), FlyDubai (+971600544445), Air Arabia (+971600508001), SpiceJet (+91 124 4983410 / +91 124 7101600), Air India Express (WhatsApp: +91 6360012345), Air India (WhatsApp: +91 96670 34444; 24/7 customer care: +91 116 932 9333 / +91 116 932 9999) and IndiGo (+91 124-4973838 / 124-6173838).
The Consulate General of India also asked Indians to contact the following numbers in case of an emergency: 800-46342 and +971543090571 (WhatsApp). Assistance is also available via email at pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in and ca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in .
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