A loud explosion was heard in central Dubai, one of the Middle East’s main commercial hubs, on Friday, March 13. The blast shook nearby buildings, and a large plume of smoke was visible in the sky, AFP correspondents reported.
An AFP reporter said the explosion rattled his building. There was no immediate information on casualties or the extent of the damage.
The news agency AP reported that flames were seen in Dubai’s Al Qusais area. A crowd gathered to observe the smoke, but police stopped an AP journalist from getting close to the site.
Dubai’s government media office said on social media platform Xe that a target in the sky had been successfully intercepted. The incident caused minor damage to the front of a building in central Dubai.
The incident comes amid ongoing Israeli and US attacks on Iran, which have caused widespread damage and casualties in Iran. In retaliation, Iran has launched missile attacks on Israel and targeted US bases in several Middle Eastern countries. Experts warn that the conflict could escalate into a major regional crisis.
