Picture for illustrative purposes only. DUBAI POLICEe

Authorities in Dubai responded early on Tuesday (March 31) to multiple incidents involving drone activity, including a fire in a residential area and damage to a vessel in local waters. According to Dubai Media Office, an abandoned villa in Al Badaa caught fire after debris from a successful air defence interception fell on the property. Four people in the vicinity sustained minor injuries. Al Badaa is a residential area near Satwa in Jumeirah 1, located between 2nd December Street and Al Wasl Road. Authorities confirmed that shrapnel from the interception landed in the area, causing property damage and minor injuries to four Asians. In a separate incident, a drone struck a Kuwaiti oil tanker anchored in Dubai waters at Anchorage “E”. No injuries were reported, and all 24 crew members were confirmed safe, the Dubai Media Office confirmed. Emergency teams were deployed to contain the situation, with maritime firefighting units working to control the fire on the vessel in line with safety protocols. Residents in areas including Satwa, Bur Dubai, Al Rigga and Warsan told Expat Media they received emergency alerts from the Ministry of Interior shortly after 2am and again around 4am. Meanwhile, authorities in Sharjah reported a separate drone strike on a facility operated by Al Thuraya Telecommunications Company in the emirate’s Central Region. No injuries were reported. As of Tuesday (March 31), UAE air defence systems intercepted multiple threats, including eight ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 36 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran. Authorities said that since the start of the attacks, hundreds of missiles and drones have been intercepted. The incidents in the UAE have resulted in casualties, including two members of the armed forces and eight civilians of various nationalities, with 188 people reported injured. The UAE Ministry of Defence said it remains fully prepared to address any threats and will act decisively to protect national security and stability.

Public warned against touching debris

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority urged the public to stay away from debris or suspicious objects that may have fallen in affected areas. Residents were advised not to approach, touch or photograph such items to allow specialised teams to carry out safety procedures. Separately, police confirmed the arrest of more than 100 individuals for posting videos and information related to incidents, reiterating that sharing unverified content violates laws and can undermine public safety. Authorities urged residents to rely only on official sources and avoid sharing images or details of ongoing incidents. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan condemned Iran's targeting of civilian infrastructure in the region, calling it a “flagrant and grave violation” of international law. He said such attacks on facilities including hospitals, schools, energy sites and residential areas “cannot, under any circumstances, be accepted or justified,” and warned of serious consequences if hostilities continue. CAM/Expat Media ALSO READ: UAE emergency alerts explained
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