‘Nightmare’ scenes on a flight home to the UK from storm-hit Dubai saw cabin crew put duct tape over the exits, one couple have claimed, while others described hours-long delays at the airport
Brits who flew out of Dubai in the middle of a historic storm have described watching cabin crew hurriedly place duct tape over emergency exits.
At least one person died during torrential rain and flooding after the “apocalyptic” superstorm, thought to be the heaviest to hit the UAE in 75 years, leaving Dubai and the surrounding region drenched.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, was hit by flash floods on Tuesday, causing chaos as planes waded through the torrents on the tarmac. Arrivals were halted on Tuesday night, and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater overwhelming surrounding roads.
One family able to return to the UK amid the storm has now told of a “nightmare” journey home in treacherous conditions.
Sue and Steve, from Chalfont St Peter’s in Buckinghamshire, had expected to fly out of Dubai on Tuesday evening with Emirates on their way back from Australia – but were one of 45 passengers told to get off their flight before takeoff. Recalling the worrying scenes on board, they told the Mail Online: “The conditions were appalling. They had duct taped one of the emergency exits. They had difficulty closing it.”
Amid chaotic scenes on their return to the airport, they were fortunate enough to discover they were on the next flight out – and frantically dashed to the gate in order to make it on time. Many other passengers had to sleep on the floor during long waits at the terminals, while some reported missing their connections after their flights were forced to divert to other nearby airports.
People were still being asked on Wednesday morning not to come to Dubai airport unless “absolutely necessary”. Flights were being delayed or diverted and passengers were urged to contact their airlines to check their flight status. Dubai International Airport said on social media: “We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary. Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline. We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.”
UAE state-run media described the rain on Tuesday “a historic weather event” stronger than anything “documented since the start of data collection in 1949”. The rain, which also fell in neighbouring Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, began late on Monday, soaking the sands and roads of Dubai with some 0.8in (20mm) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport.
Storms began to intensify at around 9am local time on Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail on the usually dry city. By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.6in (142mm) of rain had fallen on Dubai over 24 hours.
