Two witnesses on the Palm -- an upscale, palm tree-shaped residential and leisure development -- heard an explosion and saw smoke rising from a five-star hotel. The Dubai media office confirmed an "incident" in a building on the Palm Jumeirah caused a fire and injured four people. Debris from an intercepted drone sparked a fire at the base of the Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped building sometimes touted as the world's first seven-star hotel. "Authorities confirm that a drone was intercepted and debris caused a minor fire on the Burj Al Arab's outer facade," the Dubai Media Office wrote on X. Four staff were wounded at Dubai airport as a concourse sustained "minor damage", the facility's governing body said.

Source: The Hindu March 01, 2026 16:08 UTC