Conflict in the Middle East has escalated over recent days as Iran’s war with the US and Israel enters its fifth day.
The country has been hit heavily by attacks with at least 1,097 civilians according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). And drones and missiles have also hit the likes of Dubai, Lebanon and Cyprus.
The UK government has chartered its first flight for British nationals in the Middle East this evening (4 March), as other commercial flights also depart.
Many Brits are out in the likes of Dubai on holiday and plenty of footage has gone viral on social media showing the reality while others get backlash for their response.
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And it’s reported that Brits trapped on cruise ships there ‘danced around the pool’ while drones fired overhead.
Darren Lee is currently stuck with family on MSC Euriba in Dubai where it’s said at least six ships are docked.
The dad-of-two told the Daily Mail that while they could hear ‘a couple booms’, people ‘danced outside around the pool’.
Lee said: “We'd heard a couple of booms, which we've been told were interceptions of rockets and drones.
“A drone was intercepted right over our heads and there was a really loud boom, which made everyone run inside.
“Some people were carrying on with their lives as if nothing was happening even though there were four or five interceptions every hour.
“People were dancing outside around the pool and we remained inside to stay safe.”
Lee and his family arrived in Dubai on Thursday (26 February) and say there were only supposed to stop there for two days but there are now thousands of travellers stranded in Dubai and Doha's ports.
"I'm worried about not being able to get home, I'm not worried about the war at the moment," the Manchester man said.
"I googled it and Emirates, I think, has 5,000 flights a day, and they have not flown for three or four days so there is going to be a massive backlog.
"The realisation is starting to hit me now but I've always tried to be a positive person."
A spokesperson for MSC said the company is 'following the guidance of the regional U.S. military authorities to keep the ship in the port of Dubai' as airspace remains closed.
They added: "At this time, the situation on board is calm, and our guests and crew are comfortable and well looked after. We continue to provide a high-quality service to all guests."
The UK government has chartered a flight for UK nationals in the Middle East, leaving Oman this evening. Other commercial flights are set to leave today but there are said to be no viable exit routes or 'safe corridors' open at the moment for cruise ships.
Topics: Iran, Israel, Dubai, Cruise Ship
Jess Battison