Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Mar 1: A concourse at Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, sustained "minor damage" early Sunday, March 1 morning following a wave of drone strikes.

According to a statement from Dubai Airports, four staff members sustained injuries during the incident and received prompt medical attention. Most terminals had already been cleared of passengers as a precautionary measure following the closure of the airport on Saturday.

Verified social media footage showed the airport interior filled with smoke as airline employees were seen calmly evacuating the building. Eyewitnesses reported a heavy emergency response, with multiple ambulances rushing toward the facility.

The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed that while it successfully intercepted 195 drones launched at the country since the start of Iran’s attack on Saturday, 14 drones fell within UAE territory, causing "collateral damage" at several locations, including the airport.

Earlier on Saturday, Dubai Airports had issued an urgent advisory stating that passengers must not travel to the airport and should contact their respective airlines directly for the latest flight updates.

The closure and subsequent damage at the major Middle Eastern hub have led to a massive ripple effect in global aviation, including the cancellation of several flights connecting to Bengaluru and Mangaluru.