Debris from an intercepted drone struck the Burj Al Arab on Saturday night, igniting a fire on the outer facade of Dubai’s most iconic hotel. Iranian retaliatory strikes continued to batter the UAE into the night following a U.S.-Israel joint military operation on Iran.
Authorities responded and brought the blaze under control, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office. No injuries were reported at the property. Social media videos circulating Saturday night appeared to show flames on a lower level of the sail-shaped tower before crews extinguished the fire.
It was the latest in a series of strikes to hit landmark Dubai and Abu Dhabi addresses throughout the day. Earlier, an Iranian Shahed drone caused a large explosion and fire at Fairmont The Palm on Palm Jumeirah. A concourse at Dubai International Airport also sustained minor damage, injuring four staff members. Dubai Airports said contingency plans had already cleared most terminals of passengers before the incident.
The Burj Khalifa was evacuated earlier in the evening as air defense systems remained engaged across the city.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said its forces intercepted 132 Iranian missiles and 195 drones throughout the day. The Ministry condemned the attacks as “a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law.”
All flights at Dubai International (DXB), Al Maktoum International (DWC), Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International (AUH), and Sharjah Airport remain suspended. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and Air India are among the carriers that have halted or rerouted services, with aviation data firm Cirium estimating roughly 24 percent of all Middle East flights grounded.
Air Canada announced Saturday it has cancelled flights from Canada to Israel through March 8 and to Dubai through at least March 3, a sign that international carriers are planning for disruption well beyond the immediate crisis.
UAE authorities urged the public to rely on official government channels for updates as the situation continued to develop Saturday night.
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