Burj Khalifa Evacuated As A Precautionary Measure
Dubai: Authorities evacuated the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, on Saturday as a precautionary measure following reports of loud explosions across the city linked to Iranian missile strikes in the region.
The evacuation came after UAE air defenses intercepted incoming missiles, with residents hearing blasts and seeing smoke trails over areas including Dubai Marina. No direct impact was reported on the iconic 828-meter skyscraper or its immediate vicinity, but the move cleared visitors, staff, and occupants amid heightened security alerts.
The incident forms part of a broader escalation: Iran launched retaliatory ballistic missiles targeting US military bases across the Gulf—including sites in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait—hours after joint US-Israeli strikes hit Iranian targets, including in Tehran.
In neighboring Abu Dhabi, debris from an intercepted projectile struck a residential area, killing at least one civilian, an Asian national, reported as Pakistani by some sources. Dubai International Airport suspended all flights, contributing to widespread disruption across the emirate.
Eyewitness accounts on social media described sirens sounding and precautionary evacuations at key landmarks, though some reports noted the Burj Khalifa area remained calm post-interception.
International observers warn the conflict risks drawing in more Gulf states hosting US forces, with oil prices spiking amid the uncertainty.
