As events continue to develop in Dubai, the Mirror takes a look at the high-profile influencers now stranded in Dubai, who are now keeping followers updated on their harrowing experiences
Usually a bustling hub frequented by glamorous travellers, Dubai Airport has now fallen silent, leaving a number of influencers stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) city.
A popular holiday destination for those fond of luxury living, it’s no wonder that Dubai attracts so many social media stars, drawn to the city’s striking skyline and array of opulent hotels. However, many will have woken up today in what may well feel like a very different place altogether.
A shocking attack on Dubai International Airport, which saw smoke fill the halls of the usually packed hub, was followed by a fiery inferno at the luxurious Fairmont hotel. Blazes have also been reported at the famed Dubai landmark Burj Al Arab, and the Jebel Ali Port, while those in the area are urged to take shelter.
Here, the Mirror takes a look at some of the well known influencers whose Dubai dream turned into a nightmare in just a few short hours.
READ MORE: Dubai airport LIVE: Horror scenes after second ‘attack’ as smoke rises from city
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Vicky Pattison
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison had been enjoying a holiday with her husband, Ercan Ramadan, but the couple has since been left stranded just like so many other holidaymakers, as tensions continue to escalate. The I’m A Celeb winner had originally been set to travel from Dubai to Australia, and then on to New Zealand, before her flight was cancelled.
“We are receiving a lot of messages from people asking if we’re ok which we are. We are currently in our hotel and have been assured we’re safe,” she wrote on Instagram. “We are aware that the situation that is unfolding is scary and I’m also aware that there’s a lot of videos circulating on social media which are understandably concerning. I’m not sure what else to say, other than we’re doing our best to stay calm, not feed any unconfirmed narratives, and we’re thinking of everyone who is feeling unsettled and unsafe right now.”
Just one day before this sober update, Vicky and Ercan had enjoyed breakfast in “the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool” at Zeta Seventy Seven at Dubai’s Address Beach Resort. Appearing on cloud nine in a sweet Instagram vid, Vicky told followers: “Talk about bucket list type shiiiii… What an experience… and no, we didn’t drop anything in the pool!!! I promise!” The day before, the couple had flown over to Dubai in style, in what Vicky described as their “first, first class experience”. Showing excitement over their dreamy trip, Vicky revealed: “After how busy and chaotic the last year has been we really need this break together! And I’m so excited it’s off to such a lush start!”
Laura Anderson
Love Island star Laura Anderson confirmed she and daughter Bonnie were safe in a social media post, telling followers, “Horrendous situation, Bonnie & I are fine”, followed by a white heart emoji. She also reshared a heartfelt post from the page @mywildtribe about the additional fears that come with being a parent in these sorts of serious situations. The post reads: “Today, we heard the bombs – multiple loud explosions, the house shaking – and for the first time, the kids heard it too. And honestly, that’s the moment it stops being news and starts feeling real. As mums, our first instinct is fear – not for ourselves, but for our children. You look at their faces and just want the world to stay normal for them, even when your heart is racing.”
Laura, 36, also shared some helpful advice for others trapped in the UAE, including information on free of charge apartments for those stranded and, harrowingly, advice on the importance of taking shelter not just during a blast, but in the aftermath. What should have been a fun holiday took a change Laura didn’t anticipate.
Mere hours before the worrying reports began, she had shared an adorable photo of herself and Bonnie at Glasgow Airport, just before takeoff. On their first morning in Dubai, Laura showed followers a clip of her hotel room, telling them: “Welcome to Dubai. Good morning! We woke up at 11.30, Bonnie is a lazy bones…” Turning to the swimming pool, Laura declared, “Can’t wait to jump in there! Not, they didn’t put the heating on, and it’s freezing.” After dipping an experimental toe in the water, however, she then turned to a pal, saying: “Oh, it’s not cold!” before asking her young daughter whether she was happy to be in Dubai.
Petra Ecclestone
F1 heiress Petra Ecclestone, who recently made the move to Dubai from LA with husband Sam Palmer and their children. Just one day before, she’d been celebrating daughter Lavinia’s 13th birthday, out in the sunshine they’d longed for. Then everything changed.
Opening up about the developing situation, the 37-year-old shared: “It was one of the most scary, worst nights actually of my life. I feel like us and the family have been through a lot recently for personal reasons. We came to Dubai to feel safe, and we finally felt like we were settling in, and now this has happened. So it’s really kind of been a shocking turn of events.’ But thank God we are safe. It was just really, yeah, not a great night. I hope everyone is staying safe, and we shall all get through this. I just want to say thank you so much.’
Petra also spoke about the difficulties of trying to explain the complex situation to her young children, Lavinia, James, Andrew and Minnie, admitting: “I don’t have the answers to certain things, and that was terrible — just being asked what’s going to happen next, whether it’s going to stop, and hearing the bangs in the night. I think just trying to protect them and tell them that they’re going to be okay. But then, as a mum, obviously, you don’t have all the answers. So yeah, that was tough.
“I can’t even imagine other people in history who have gone through wars and had to live through it day to day, like my dad, and this just being normal life. And then kids having to go to school with that sort of anxiety and worry. It was quite an eye-opening experience last night.”
Just last summer, in an interview with The Times, Petra spoke about how she felt so safe in Dubai. In a statement that now feels heartbreaking in light of this recent traumatic episode, Petra told the publication: “Dubai is one of my top places to travel with the children. I feel safer in Dubai than I do in LA or London. In London, my dad’s been robbed four times, my sister’s been burgled; it’s not the same place it used to be. LA is an absolute disaster, too, safety-wise. I sleep so much better in Dubai.”
Petra and Sam had been living in a £31million LA mansion, while retaining their £170million Chelsea mansion, but regarded their move to Dubai as a “new era”, often sharing photos of their adventures as a family.
Luisa Zissman
Similar to Petra, Apprentice 2013 runner-up Luisa Zissman decided to up sticks to Dubai after tiring of the UK weather and concerns over crime. Leaving behind the multi-million pound Grade II-listed Hertfordshire home, which she and husband Andrew bought shortly after their 2015 wedding, Luisa took two of her three children, along with her horses, to join Andrew – who had already relocated – for a new life in the Middle East.
She announced the news on Instagram and responding to a comment that read, “everyone’s leaving the UK now,”, she agreed, “very sad have always loved the UK but looking forward to not being cold & being able to walk alone at night safely.” Sadly for Luisa, her hopes of a safer life have been destroyed.
In an Instagram story update, Luisa wrote: ‘Lots of messages re: Dubai. Lots of bangs we are hearing. Stay safe, fellow UAE gang.” She also made sure to share information with her fellow British Nationals in the UAE, urging them to register their presence. Later on, Luisa revealed how she was keeping her little ones busy during this difficult time, with some old-fashioned home baking.
Sharing photographs of their efforts taken in her kitchen, Luisa said: “Home-baked bread rolls. Keeping the kids entertained and indoors. We got itchy feet and went to take them to the park and literally as we went to step foot out the door we heard 2 massive explosions that shook the house, we retreated and then heard another 2. So now movie time in the basement. So surreal and scary. I do have faith that UAE defence will keep us all safe.”
Sam Gowland
Just one week ago, former Geordie Shore star Sam Gowland shared snaps of his brand new Dubai house with his Instagram followers, revealing: “After 4 months stress & deep pockets I’m proud to announce my latest home/villa in Dubai is complete.” Then, just two days ago, Sam, 30, announced he would be putting the multi-million renovation on the market, for a cool 10 million AED (£2 million).
Sadly, the ex Love Island contestant has now spoken out about the city for a very different reason. Sharing startling footage before a report broke of a missile attack on the Fairmont Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, Sam shared footage of rockets soaring through the sky while he was on the beach, saying: “Wow… No we’ll have to go. That’s two or three now”, including the caption, “Right above us on the Palm in Dubai today, bloody scary I tell you that, never heard a noise like it before.”
In later footage, Sam appeared panicked as he exclaimed: “What the f*** is that? I’ve got it on video. F***ing hell,” before adding: “Rocket above my house, WTF this is crazy.” In the background, a worried female voice can be heard repeatedly saying, “I’m scared”. In an update given this morning, Sam shared: “Wow, so scary last night, hardly slept with all the banging. This morning’s wake-up call was at 7:30 am with two more rockets going over my villa, going to be another crazy day! Can’t really tell you the feelign you get from the noisees I’ve never experienced anything like it [sic].”
Hofit Golan
Israeli socialite Hofit Golan also shared footage from her hotel balcony capturing rockets and explosions striking the hotel, having arrived in Dubai mere hours earlier. She posted on Instagram: “After being debriefed from my flights as the skies closed above us. I came home to see the Palm filling up with smoke! I can see rockets and explosions from my balcony!”
The 40-year-old went on to reveal that she’d taken shelter in her bathtub after witnessing the “surreal” moment, recalling: ‘I heard loud explosions, and I thought ‘I can’t believe it, I am in the safest city in the world, and I can’t believe this is happening’. Of course, I am frightened. It is a natural reaction. The UAE is supposed to be one of the safest places. You see it (explosions) in front of your balcony. You see fireworks usually, but that’s a different kind of lighting of the skies.”
She continued: “So, in the back of your head, it is like what is going to happen at night? Are we all going to be able to sleep? You kind of black out a little bit. I haven’t caught my breath yet. I feel a bit shocked, a little overwhelmed and exhausted. They (The UAE) are successfully intercepting the missiles and doing their job well, but of course, it is a human natural emotion to be like ‘oh gosh, oh my god’, that is where I am at.
“I did not see anyone get hurt or hear shouting. I can’t think straight. I am just processing the emotions. It’s kind of surreal. We have been getting reports that they are shutting down the tourist places and we’re being told to stay indoors and stay away from windows.”
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READ MORE: Travel expert Simon Calder issues three-word advice for Brits caught up in Iran attacks
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