All flights to and from Dubai International Airport have been suspended after an Iranian drone attack sparked a huge fire.
The world’s second-busiest airport was shuttered just before 5.30am local time (1.30am GMT) as flames and smoke soared into the night sky.
A statement confirmed it was closed as a “precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff”.
Emirates, the UAE’s flag-carrier airline, warned all travellers not to go to DXB.
“Please do not go to the airport,” it said.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised.”
A later update from the airport itself revealed that the Iranian drone had smashed into a fuel tank nearby.
Then, Dubai Civil Defence teams confirmed the situation “remains under control, with no spread of the fire”.
No injuries were reported in the attack.
Data from flight tracking site FlightRadar24 showed how the airport had been completely taken out of action by the strike.
PICTURED: Fire rages in Dubai after an Iranian drone strike on its airport
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Just one flight was in the air over Dubai at 7.30am – typically the height of its peak early morning rush – and from the much smaller Sharjah International Airport.
Some flights were diverted to Al Maktoum airport in the southwest of the city, though it remains unclear exactly how many.
One, an Emirates A380, had flown all the way from Tokyo before DXB was shut. That flight eventually came into land at Al Maktoum.
It was one of multiple international flights to have been forced into a holding pattern off the coast of Oman.
TRAVEL CHAOS IN THE MIDDLE EAST – READ MORE:
No flights were coming in or out of DXB at 7.30am local time – typically the height of the rush hour
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FLIGHTRADAR24
Gulf states like the UAE have been forced to contend with more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since war broke out in Iran on February 28.
Targets have included American diplomatic missions and military bases – but also critical oil infrastructure, ports, airports, hotels, homes and offices.
Just days ago, at least four people were injured after two drones fell near Dubai International.
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE since the outbreak of war.
While Defence Secretary John Healey said on March 10 that more than 37,000 Britons had been evacuated from the Middle East.
Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that more than 37,000 Britons had been evacuated from the Middle East
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PAThe chaos looks set to continue, with Donald Trump on Sunday night declaring the Iranians were not ready to strike a deal to end the war.
“Yes, we’re talking to them,” Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“I don’t think they’re ready. But they are getting pretty close.”
Mr Trump then added that he was unsure if he wanted to broker a peace deal because “nobody even knows who you’re dealing with, because most of their leadership has been killed”.
