Two powerful explosions on February 8 stirred up a high-rise building in the center of the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the corresponding emirate – Abu Dhabi. Later there was a fire.
It happened around midnight Tuesday local time, according to the Express. Footage of the moment of the emergency appeared on the social network Twitter, which eyewitnesses perceived as missile strikes (to see photos and videos, scroll to the end of the news).
The published pictures and videos from the scene show a tall building, the last floors of which were engulfed in flames. This was followed by the sound of sirens from police cars and ambulances.
Some witnesses claimed that a rocket allegedly hit the skyscraper. It was also noted that the explosions were heard 20 km from the hotel of the Brazilian football team “Palmeiras”, playing in the UEFA Club World Cup. It will be held in Abu Dhabi this week.
“There were two explosions in Abu Dhabi. Palmeiras fans heard them,” wrote journalist Paulo Bueno on Twitter.
#ابوظبي الان pic.twitter.com/BTCC0LTAfS
— ساعة الصفر (@zero_hour2020) February 8, 2022
Citing a colleague from BandJornalismo, he added that “it was a drone attack provoked by terrorists.”
Nevertheless, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority was quick to assure that the fire was provoked by explosions of a gas cylinder. In particular, in a building located at the intersection of Hamdan and Delma streets.
Local authorities confirmed that no one was injured as a result of the emergency, and rescuers took control of the fire. Emergency services, police and paramedics were on the scene.