Brits arriving home say Dubai ‘is like the band still playing on Titanic as it sank’
British passengers who arrived at Heathrow from Dubai on one of the first flights out from the war torn country likened the situation to the ‘Titanic’ with the government saying everything is fine as missiles rain down.
The weary travellers got off the Emirates Flight at Heathrow at just before 8am having managed to buy a ticket to escape the bombing with alerts ringing out even as they got on their plane.
Dubai has been hit in a barrage of drone attacks with the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel one of the landmarks hit by Iran.
The attacks which have also left carnage in apartment blocks has triggered an exodus from Dubai but routes out are limited as the air space above the area has been mainly closed. Most of those stepping off the plans today spoke of their relief.
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Chris and Nicky Weare from Bristol had to pay £12,000 for tickets with hundreds of Brits battling to get out of Dubai which has been hit by a series of missiles on its port, apartments and other infrastructure.
Nicky, 47, told Metro: ‘The situation is not good it’s very frightening. We saw drones being intercepted and a bomb hitting the harbour. But the government denies its serious they are telling everyone everything ok but it’s far from ok it’s like the Titanic the band is playing on as the ship sinks.’
Chris added: ‘An example of it being like the Titanic was at a horse racing meeting.
‘There were literally missiles flying above our heads and the commentator at the racecourse, who was English, just carried on with the announcements as if nothing was happening, it’s bizarre.’
The couple’s view from their hotel was a warship docked nearby while they saw explosions across the harbour area from their balcony.
Chris said: ‘It cost us £12,000 to get out but we needed to get out. We are so relieved we are back. In Dubai you can’t question the government over what is happening and how serious it is they are pretending it’s ok but it is not. It’s chaos. I wouldn’t go back to Dubai.’
Hannah Langley and Owen Cartwright, both 21, told Metro the situation was ‘very scary’ with explosions across Dubai ruining their holiday.
Hannah said: ‘You jump out of your skin when you hear the bangs it’s very frightening I’ve never been so scared. There are missiles flying through the air and it’s just something that is so terrifying.’
Owen added: ‘I’m so happy to be home. The government there were giving alerts but even so you just couldn’t relax.’
Michael Sines, 30, told Metro: ‘There was an explosion at a hotel up the road but we weren’t hit. It shook us up a bit though and clearly no one had planned for this. We had to stay an extra six days but at least we are safe now.’
Dubai is popular with its influencers and celebrities who have described it in glowing terms with its warm weather and officially low crime rate.
Rio Ferdinand is among former footballers living in Dubai and he has spoken of the impact on him, his wife Kate and their children on the current bombardment.
On social media he described the situation as ‘scary’.
Most of those on the flight back criticised the Dubai leaders for underplaying the tinder box in the Middle East which had led to it being attacked, while some praised the way in which the crisis was being handled.
Anna Maguire, 28, a tech worker from Belfast, is planning to return in the future.
She said: ‘I think Dubai is a fantastic place and I’ll be going back. I’ve flown to Heathrow to only to get a connecting flight to the US for a friend’s wedding.
‘I think the information the government had given is clear and I’m impressed.’
The using bustling Emirates check in desk was empty today with most flights cancelled as the conflict in the Middle East continues.
Earlier on Friday, a government chartered flight landed at London Stansted after taking off from Muscat, Oman.