Damage has been reported at a building in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
10:26, Fri, Mar 13, 2026 Updated: 10:28, Fri, Mar 13, 2026
Large cloud of smoke hangs over a central area of the Middle East financial hub on Friday (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Panic has erupted in Dubai as another huge explosion rocked the city on Friday. Debris from intercepted Iranian drones is reported to have caused damage to a building at the heart of the city's financial district.
The attack was described as a fire in an industrial area with thick black smoke seen for miles over Dubai's skyline. An AFP correspondent on the scene described a "huge explosion" and the building as "shaken". Dubai-based entrepreneur, Mario Nawfal, shared footage of the incident which happened near him. Posting on X, he said: "An explosion at the Dubai International Financial Centre (right next to my building)." Sirens were reported to be audible from the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road - a main arterial road of the UAE's largest city. Firefighters were also spotted at the Al Quoz Industrial area, working to extinguish the blaze, which, according to the authorities, was caused by a successful interception.
The Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) is one of the Middle East's most prominent financial districts.
Dubai Media Office said: "Authorities confirm that debris from a successful interception caused a minor incident on the façade of a building in central Dubai. No injuries have been reported."
The United Arab Emirates' National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management also confirmed its air defences were responding to a missile threat.
It urged residents to remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates.
Earlier in the week, Dubai banks, including Citi and Standard Chartered, were alleged to have ordered workers to leave their offices amid Iran's threats to target US and Israeli financial institutions.
Officials at the Dubai International Financial Centre later sought to calm fears, stating that reports that Index Tower and ICD Brookfield Place were nothing more than rumours and completely untrue.
*** Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***
Facade of a building at Dubai's financial district partially damaged (Image: AP)
It stated that the update provided for the DIFC Community on March 8 still stands and that the DIFC is fully open and operational.
The statement added: "The advice from the Dubai and UAE Government, as well as guidance for expatriates from their home nation should also be followed."
Adressing the Gulf nations, the statement added: "We send a message to the leaders of the region and emphasise that we are going to have good relations with the countries around us.
The latest news from around the world Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"But the existence of the US bases in some of these countries and usage of those bases to attack Iran is not benefiting the region and they must be closed.
"As we said, we are not an enemy of the countries around us, and we are only targeting the bases of those Americans."
4 hours ago
3
English (US) · 