Burj Al Arab Hit by Drone Debris as Iranian Retaliation Strikes Dubai
This is a rapidly developing major breaking news event. Dubai authorities confirmed that debris from an intercepted drone caused a fire at the Burj Al Arab, the city's famed luxury hotel, following a wave of Iranian strikes launched at Gulf states on the night of February 28, 2026 ET. The fire has been extinguished and no injuries were reported at the iconic sail-shaped tower — but the wider attack on Dubai is far from over.
What Happened to the Burj Al Arab
Authorities confirmed that a drone was intercepted and debris caused a minor fire on the Burj Al Arab's outer facade. Civil Defence teams responded immediately and brought the incident under control. No injuries have been reported.
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.
The Burj Al Arab has long been one of the emirate's most recognisable symbols. Opened in 1999 on an artificial island off Jumeirah Beach, the sail-shaped tower quickly became an emblem of a city intent on projecting luxury on a global scale.
Dubai Airport, Jebel Ali Port, and Palm Jumeirah All Hit
Dubai Airports confirmed that an incident occurred at Dubai International Airport earlier. Four individuals sustained injuries as a result of the incident. They have received urgent medical attention and their condition is being monitored. DXB said emergency response teams were immediately deployed and the situation was managed in coordination with relevant authorities.
A concourse at Dubai International Airport 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.
Dubai authorities also confirmed that debris resulting from an aerial interception caused a fire at one of the berths at Jebel Ali Port. Dubai Civil Defense teams responded immediately and are continuing their efforts to fully extinguish the fire. No injuries have been reported.
UAE Air Defenses Intercept Hundreds of Missiles and Drones
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."
Related incidents include fires at Dubai's Jebel Ali Port and strikes across the wider UAE, with Abu Dhabi also targeted. The scale of the interception operation represents one of the largest single-day air defense engagements in the UAE's history.
All UAE Airports Suspended, Airlines Halting Flights
All flights at Dubai International, Al Maktoum International, Abu Dhabi's Zayed International, 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.
What Triggered the Iranian Strikes on Dubai
Iranian retaliatory strikes continued to batter the UAE following a U.S.-Israel joint military operation on Iran. Iran fired missiles at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha — all key east-west aviation gateways. This is an extremely fast-moving situation. Travelers with flights to or through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah should contact their airlines immediately, as the flight suspension has no confirmed end time as of March 1, 2026 ET.
