An American couple celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary in Dubai became stranded after numerous drone strikes and an Iranian missile that targeted the UAE, damaging infrastructure and grounding flights. Thousands of travelers across the entire region have been affected as the air pads closed and the embassies advised individuals to maintain shelter in place.
The Dubai International Airport, known as the world’s busiest international airport, is closed for three days after a lot of damage to the airport itself, as reported by Dubai’s media office. The post reported that not only was there minor structural damage to the airport itself, but also to the identified airport staff who were injured and rushed to urgent medical care.
The UAE Defense Ministry said air defenses intercepted 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and more than 540 Iranian drones over the span of two days.
Four airport employees were injured. Sarah Mettee of Nashville told NBC that “Rockets were intercepted outside of her hotel,” calling this experience terrifying. She and her husband went on vacation for a romantic anniversary getaway, leaving their children back at home and going simply to enjoy their time. This bombing was so unexpected, and it left them and their children terrified about their safe return to the United States. They have been safely sheltering in place after the US Embassy advised the Americans not to leave the country.
These attacks came after Iran retaliated against the US strikes that killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
As Dubai International Airport prepares to reopen, stranded travelers like Mettee remain uncertain about when they will return home. With regional tensions escalating, officials continue to monitor security conditions. For now, many visitors remain sheltering in place, waiting for flights to resume.
Featured Image Credit: Fadel Senna