Dubai 'arrests survivors of Iranian drone strike after they sent images of explosion aftermath to loved ones'
Three people who survived a drone strike in Dubai were arrested after they sent photos of the aftermath to their loved ones, it is reported.
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The group were inside their Creek Harbour apartments when a drone struck on Wednesday evening.
They survived, and took photos which they sent to family to let them know they were safe.
But according to campaign group Detained in Dubai, the survivors were later arrested after police turned up and demanded to see their phones.
Detained in Dubai’s Radha Stirling posted online: “Three traumatised survivors of an Iran drone strike were arrested after privately sharing a photo with loved ones confirming they were alive following an explosion on their apartment floor.
“Instead of receiving victim support, they were locked up by Dubai police.”
“They are asking people to search their phones in the streets,” she added.
“Dubai police need to roll back their hypersensitive reaction. These arrests are arguably more damaging than the footage of explosions you seek to censor.”
Dubai International Airport was forced to halt flights for several hours overnight after a fuel tank was blown up by an Iranian drone.
Footage has emerged online showing a huge fireball explosion and thick plume of smoke pouring into the sky.
Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the temporary suspension at around 1.30am ‘as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff’. Several planes were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport, southwest of the city.
Travellers were warned not to attempt to get to the airport.
Iran war LIVE: Trump calls on seven countries to protect Strait of Hormuz
The Emirates airline posted online: “All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended.
“Please do not go to the airport.
“Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised.”
This morning the airline posted: “Emirates expects to operate a limited schedule after 10:00hrs Dubai local time today.
“Unfortunately, some flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled. Affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and will be advised on options. “
At around 6am today the airport began to gradually resume flights.
Yesterday Donald Trump appealed to China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz "open and safe" as oil prices soared due to the war.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that Tehran has been "approached by a number of countries" seeking safe passage for their vessels, "and this is up to our military to decide".
He said a group of vessels from "different countries" had been allowed to pass, without providing details.
Iran has said the strait, through which one fifth of global oil exports normally pass, is open to all except the United States and its allies.
Mr Araghchi added that "we don't see any reason why we should talk with Americans" about finding a way to end the war, noting that Israel and the US started the fighting with coordinated attacks on February 28 during indirect talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
He also said Tehran had "no plan to recover" the enriched uranium that is under rubble following US and Israeli attacks last year.
Mr Trump said that he has demanded that about seven countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Tehran has accused the United States of using "ports, docks and hideouts" in the United Arab Emirates to launch strikes on Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Iran's oil exports, without providing evidence, as oil prices soared.
Mr Trump said the US is negotiating with countries heavily reliant on Middle East crude to join a coalition to police the waterway, but declined to name them.
Mr Trump also suggested he may delay his much-anticipated visit to China at the end of the month as he seeks to ramp up the pressure on Beijing to help reopen the strait.