Multiple explosions shook Dubai as witnesses reported hearing loud ‘booms’ and seeing massive plumes of smoke. The incidents began around 2:40 am local time on Wednesday, August 5 (11:40 pm on Tuesday, August 4 in the UK). Eyewitnesses observed a building engulfed in flames in the Jebel Ali industrial area, approximately 25 miles southwest of the central Dubai.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the explosions and fire. Emergency services are present at the site, and nearby residents have mentioned hearing fire truck sirens. One witness described, “It’s in the Jebel Ali industrial area, I can see the building on fire. The last explosion, the seventh one, occurred about 20 minutes ago. Authorities are responding, I heard fire truck sirens.”
Another witness reported hearing ‘at least 4-5 blasts’ in the Jebel Ali region, with the sounds reaching Al Furjan. Images circulating online show thick smoke spreading across the cityscape, while videos depict firefighters battling the blaze in the vicinity.
Dubai is a favored destination for British expatriates, with an estimated 240,000 Britons residing in the Emirati city, making the UK the largest European community in the country.