logo
All 3,820 residents reported to be safe in Dubai Marina fire

All 3,820 residents reported to be safe in Dubai Marina fire

The National2 days ago

Smoke continued to billow from a 67-storey apartment building in Dubai Marina on Saturday morning, following a fire that Dubai Civil Defence teams fought to control overnight.
Providing live updates on social media – the Dubai Media Authority said that 3,820 residents from 764 apartments were moved to safety and there were no injuries.
'Ambulance teams and medical staff are on site to offer full medical and mental support to the safely evacuated residents,' the media office said.
For residents, authorities are co-ordinating with the building's developer to provide temporary housing.
The fire broke out in the upper floors of the Tiger Tower – also known as Marina Pinnacle – in the busy district at about 9.30pm.
Video taken by The National had earlier showed emergency services arriving at the scene as flames engulfed a section of the building.
Many tenants who fled the tower block gathered in the street outside as a emergency teams fought to prevent the fire from spreading.
The cause of the fire is not known. Dubai Civil Defence has been contacted for further comment.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'No food, water': Passengers stuck for 5 hours without AC on Air India Express flight in Dubai
'No food, water': Passengers stuck for 5 hours without AC on Air India Express flight in Dubai

Khaleej Times

time4 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

'No food, water': Passengers stuck for 5 hours without AC on Air India Express flight in Dubai

Passengers onboard an Air India Express flight from Dubai to Jaipur were reportedly left stranded inside a grounded aircraft for over five hours without air-conditioning, food, or water, triggering anger and allegations of negligence. Flight IX-196, scheduled to depart from Dubai at 7.25pm on June 13, was unable to take off on time due to a technical snag. But instead of being allowed to deboard, more than 150 passengers were allegedly kept inside the aircraft as cabin temperatures soared. A video of the ordeal, posted by Indian dietician and social media influencer Arzoo Sethi, has since gone viral. In the video, visibly distressed passengers can be seen drenched in sweat, fanning themselves with safety cards and whatever they could find to stay cool. 'We were boarded at 7pm, but the flight's AC never came on. My three-year-old son was soaked in sweat. Not a single attendant came to help us. No one gave us water, let alone food,' Sethi said in her post. 'If the aircraft had a technical fault, they could've let us wait in the terminal. But they chose to lock us inside like this.' Describing the experience as 'horrific' and 'terrifying,' Sethi publicly tagged Air India Express, saying: 'This is a serious safety lapse. Please take responsibility for your passengers' well-being before it's too late.' Another passenger, Ravi Kumar, echoed her concerns. 'There was suffocation. The air-conditioning wasn't working. We kept pressing the call button, but no one came. It felt like torture,' he said. The flight finally took off at 12.44am, over five hours behind schedule and landed in Jaipur at 2.44am on June 14. Several passengers have since taken to social media to express their outrage and demand accountability from the airline. There has been no official response yet from Air India Express. A comment from the airline was not immediately available.

Dubai Marina fire: community steps up to help those forced to flee
Dubai Marina fire: community steps up to help those forced to flee

The National

time5 hours ago

  • The National

Dubai Marina fire: community steps up to help those forced to flee

Residents that fled a blazing Dubai Marina tower on Friday have recounted their ordeal as the community rallies round to help. They described friends and fellow residents banging on doors warning of a fire as the smell of smoke descended through Marina Pinnacle Tower. Some even had no idea about the blaze until residents of neighbouring towers warned them. Video footage seen by The National shows rows of people descending down the stairs in the tower known informally as 'Tiger Tower". Dubai Media Office on Saturday said the blaze affected the upper floors of the '67-storey' building and was brought under control in "six hours". All 3,820 residents from 764 apartments were moved to safety and there were no injuries, the media office said. Emergency services were still at the scene on Sunday with the site locked off. A growing support network At Dubai Marina on Sunday, the community was stepping up efforts by helping to find accommodation, supplying meals, sourcing clothes and even reuniting pets. A WhatsApp group dedicated to the effort has amassed at least 1,000 members. The cause of the blaze is not yet known and it is still not clear when residents will be able to return. Some are being housed in nearby hotels, while others are staying with friends and family. Jennifer Lucero said she was resting on her bed when a fellow resident banged on the door warning of a fire. She thought it was a drill until she went outside her room and smelt smoke. 'I'm panicking but I have to be strong,' she told The National. 'I can still smell the smoke." Ms Lucero battled her way out by using the staircase and then the lift. "You don't know what to do," she said. Juliet Galope, another resident of the tower, said residents of adjacent buildings called to warn of the blaze. Ms Galope said at around 9:30pm they tried to leave using the staircase but heavy smoke prevented them and they managed to escape through the lift. She has since been put up in a hotel near Global Village. Others have gone to accommodation in Deira and Sharjah. It is not clear if all those affected have been accommodated. 'They [have] given us free food and some are donating clothes and other essentials,' said Ms Galope. Catalina Dumitru, a resident of the adjacent Torch Tower, said she saw smoke just after 9pm on Friday and immediately thought of her two friends and cat in the building. 'I called my two friends and said, 'you better come over to my place'." Ms Dumitru said she counted at least 18 fire lorries and paid tribute to the firefighters who made unrelenting efforts to extinguish the blaze. 'They gave 120 per cent to put this out. They did everything they could.' However, many residents do not know when they can return. 'We don't know who to ask,' said Ms Lucero, who is currently with a friend. 'My worry now is where to stay.' The road to recovery The owners association, meanwhile, thanked Dubai Civil Defence for controlling the fire. 'The owners association managing Marina Pinnacle Tower has announced the provision of alternative accommodation for owners residing in the tower whose units were affected by the recent fire,' it said in a statement. 'The association expressed its deep sorrow over the incident, stating that it has responded to the directives of the concerned authorities to provide temporary housing for the affected residents. It also confirmed that it has initiated contact with the insurance company to complete the necessary procedures in such cases. 'The Marina Pinnacle Owners Association extended its sincere thanks to the Dubai Civil Defence teams for their tremendous efforts in controlling the fire, carrying out the cooling operations, and ensuring the safety of all residents.' It is believed this was sent to owners and not tenants. It is also understood some of the rooms in the building were partitioned into bed spaces. A note sent to residents by the property management company and seen by The National also expressed its "sincere regret" at the incident and stated the fire had been brought under control with no one injured. "We also inform you that, as the property management company, we have relocated a number of affected residents to a temporary hotel until the situation is restored to normal." It also gave advice on how to access emergency accommodation and told people to bring a title deed if owner and a tenancy contract if renting. Ms Dumitru said the community spirit in Dubai following the blaze was noteworthy. "I was extremely impressed. People provided food and water for firefighters in front of my building. We have collected donations such as food and clothes and shoes." Fibber Magee's, which has outlets on Sheikh Zayed Road and Barsha, offered a free meal to those affected. 'We hope all those impacted by the Marina fire this weekend have been taken care of and are in good hands,' it said in a post on social media. 'Anyone facing a tough time or needs an escape; there's a table, meal and drink for you; free of charge at Fibbers SZR or Barsha.' The Roads and Transport Authority on Sunday said tram services between Dubai Marina Station and Palm Jumeirah Station have resumed normal operations after being temporarily suspended due to the blaze. In the meantime, the insurance companies and investigators are set to assess the cause and plan the next steps for residents.

UAE: Midday work ban starts today, see penalties for violations
UAE: Midday work ban starts today, see penalties for violations

Gulf Business

time8 hours ago

  • Gulf Business

UAE: Midday work ban starts today, see penalties for violations

Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The UAE has commenced its 21st annual 'Midday Work Ban', effective from June 15 until September 15. A key part of the UAE's sustainable labour strategy, the rule, enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), prohibits any outdoor work under direct sunlight between 12:30pm and 3pm daily. The initiative aims to safeguard the health and safety of workers — particularly in construction and outdoor sectors — during the country's peak summer heat, where temperatures often exceed 50°C. MoHRE added that its inspection teams will conduct unannounced field visits to monitor compliance at work sites and labour accommodations across the country. The ministry is also conducting awareness campaigns to inform both employers and employees of the regulations and the health risks of working in extreme heat. Read: Penalties for violators of midday work ban Violators of the Midday Work Ban face fines of Dhs5,000 per worker found working during the restricted hours, up to a maximum of Dhs50,000, and may risk suspension of the establishment's classification or operational permits. The Measures to be undertaken for workers Exceptions to the ban are made only for urgent tasks, such as infrastructure repairs, which must be reported in advance and compensated with alternative rest periods. The initiative supports the UAE's 'We the UAE 2031' vision, fostering a resilient and inclusive workforce. The country hosts over 200 nationalities, making the safety and dignity of all workers a national priority.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store