Holidaymakers describe 'horror' of missile strikes

A police call handler who is on holiday in Dubai has described the "horror" of hearing explosions from her hotel following missile strikes in the Middle East.

Jade Angell-Beans, from Lincoln, spent the night in a hotel basement following explosions on Saturday when an emergency alarm told her to take cover.

Iran launched attacks on the Gulf states as part of its retaliation to US and Israeli strikes which began on Saturday.

Mick Brommell from Billinghay, Lincolnshire, who is also on holiday in the city, said he had seen missiles being shot down behind his hotel and described the situation as "surreal".

On Sunday morning, Angell-Beans and other guests at Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites were told to take shelter in a basement. She described hearing "bang after bang after bang" from the Iranian offensive.

"There were people going into shock, people throwing up, people laid on the floor not moving," she said.

"It was really horrible because everyone was so scared after the amount of violence that we'd heard."

On the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's man-made archipelago, the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel was hit on Saturday as Iran launched strikes across the region.

Debris from an intercepted drone resulted in a "minor fire" on the outer facade of the five-star Burj Al Arab hotel, authorities have said.

Brommell and his wife Tina arrived on Friday and are staying opposite the Fairmont.

He said: "We actually did see missiles in the sky being shot down and landing and exploding behind hotels. It was so surreal.

"It's just like watching a video recording or something. It's pretty scary"

Flights in and out of airports in Dubai, Tel Aviv, Doha and other international hubs in the region have been suspended.

The UK Foreign Office has warned British citizens against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Those already there have been advised to shelter.

"We have no idea what's happening, and we're just worried," Angell-Beans added.

"I feel really on edge. I think the silence and not knowing anything, it's really making me worry about what's going to come next"

Brommell is due to return to the UK on Thursday.

He said: "We're just going to wait and see what happens, and [we'll] probably be sleeping in the underground car park again tonight.

"I'll be pleased when I get back home."

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