Several Swedes are stranded in Dubai following explosions and missile interceptions after Israel's and USA's attack on Iran. Authorities urge people to stay indoors as airspace is closed and flights canceled. Swedes like Sofia Blomström and Jacob describe panic and uncertainty on the ground.
Following Israel's and USA's attack on Iran on Saturday morning, explosions have been reported across the Middle East, including in the United Arab Emirates. In Dubai, blasts have been heard since lunchtime, and residents and tourists have seen missiles being shot down in the sky. The country's authorities urge the population to stay indoors, according to Reuters.
Swedish Sofia Blomström and her father Per are on vacation in Palm Jumeirah, a popular tourist area in Dubai. At lunchtime, the first blasts were heard, and white trails from missiles appeared in the blue sky. "It sounded very loud and we saw white clouds starting to appear", says Sofia. Later in the afternoon, the situation intensified with a powerful blast that triggered panic at their hotel, which lacks a shelter. Many guests fled in chaos, and Sofia describes: "It was actually total chaos. The uncertainty is the most difficult. We see all these missiles, and we see how they are shot down. You just have to rely on them continuing to be shot down."
Sofia and Per tried to leave the country during the day, but all flights were canceled and airspace closed. They contacted the Swedish embassy in Abu Dhabi but only reached a voicemail stating hours from Monday to Friday. When calling the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD), they ended up in an hour-long queue without getting through. The UD app advises them to stay indoors. Sofia mentions that many Swedish families with children in the area are particularly worried, and no one at the hotel has reached UD. They are now considering leaving by car and hope the situation is temporary.
Jacob, 30, a Swede who has lived in Dubai for almost a year for a job in finance, was on the golf course when the first explosion shook the ground. "I felt the shockwave", he says, adding that he is shaken. He lives in central Dubai and has seen several missiles in the air during non-stop bombings. With a Swedish friend, he follows the news at home and plans to stockpile water and food. "Of course I don't feel completely safe", says Jacob, who regrets not traveling home last week. His family in Sweden is more worried than he is, but flights are impossible now.
