Yesterday afternoon, a ferocious blaze broke out near the entrance of the 5-star Fairmont The Palm hotel, amid as Iranian bombs rained down in retaliation for the US-Israel strikes, which resulted in the death of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Meanwhile, chaos has erupted at Dubai International Airport, which is operating no flights in or out, and has reportedly been struck by a second blast today, mere hours after earlier strikes by Iran that left one person dead and seven injured.

Those in Dubai, widely regarded as one of the ‘safest’ Middle Eastern cities for overseas tourists, have been left shaken by the attacks and terrified about what may follow.

Terrifying footage shows Fairmont The Palm, located on Dubai’s famous artificial island, The Palm, engulfed with flames, which appear to climb to multiple stories.

Situated in the swish Palm Jumeriah area, just a half-hour drive from Dubai International Airport, Fairmont is usually regarded as synonymous with luxury, offering gourmet dining experiences, spa facilities, and even private beaches.

The average room will set guests back by £292 a night, while the especially well-heeled can enjoy a £828 a night stay in the presidential suite. However, such extravagance felt like a million miles away as thick black smoke filled the sky.

Witnesses recalled how ambulances dashed to the scene, where it was understood that four people were injured and taken to medical facilities.

A minor fire broke out at the famed Dubai landmark Burj Al Arab after a ‘drone was intercepted’. The iconic sail-shaped building, often referred to as the world’s first seven-star hotel, was affected on its outer facade, but the blaze has since been extinguished, with no reported injuries.

A popular hotspot for glam influencers, tourists in Dubai have reportedly been forced to sleep on mattresses in hotel basements and parking garages, as the strikes continue.

After being woken in the middle of the night, those staying at the plush Fairmont The Palm were evacuated below ground for safety, with social media footage showing hundreds of makeshift sleeping spaces set up on lower levels and in parking areas.

Vicky Pattison is among the celebs currently taking shelter in Dubai. The former Strictly Come Dancing star had been enjoying a holiday with her husband, Ercan Ramadan, but ended up stranded amid escalating tensions.

The I’m A Celeb winner had been set to travel from Dubai to Australia, but as her flight was cancelled, she’s now stuck in the UAE.

Vicky told Instagram followers: “We are receiving a lot of messages from people asking if we’re ok, which we are. We are currently in our hotel and have been assured we’re safe. We are aware that the situation that is unfolding is scary and I’m also aware that there’s a lot of videos circulating on social media which are understandably concerning. I’m not sure what else to say, other than we’re doing our best to stay calm.”

Horrifying scenes documented in social media footage show injured people fleeing Dubai International Airport, the busiest airport on Earth, dashing through smoke-filled corridors as they rushed towards emergency exits.

Footage shared on X showed passengers inside the airport following reports that the major international hub had been struck by a drone. One woman appeared to have blood on her face as she desperately tried to make her escape.

One harrowing video shows the smoke-filled lounge, usually bustling with passengers from all over the world, completely emptied, with the sound of alarms blaring in the distance replacing the usual chatter and noise expected at the airport, where an evacuation order was put in place following reports of an attack. Significant disruption is now expected for all passengers, including Brits.