Lindsay Lohan, Vicky Pattison and other celebrities have opened up about being in Dubai during the ongoing Iranian strikes as tourists take refuge in basements while stuck in the country.
Iran hit the United Arab Emirates and its neighbours on Saturday (28 February) in retaliation to the United States and Israeli forces’ attack on Iran shortly before, which resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Kahmenei.
The strikes on the UAE have resulted in the death of one person and several injuries after Dubai International Airport was targeted, while a five-star hotel in Palm Jumeirah went up in flames when a projective struck the area.
Among the tourists taking refuge from the attacks are British and American celebrities holidaying in the country, with many taking to social media to speak out about the global crisis.
Freaky Friday actor Lindsay Lohan, who lives in Dubai with her husband Bader Shammas and their son Luai, announced on Sunday (1 March) that she was “praying for peace”. “Stay safe everyone,” she wrote on Instagram. “God bless us all.”
Fellow resident Kate Ferdinand – who is married to ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand – also revealed on Sunday that their family was safe after sleeping in the basement of their home. The couple relocated to Dubai last year with their young children.
“Thank you for all of your messages and sorry for the silence, i haven’t wanted to worry you all I just haven’t been able to find the words. We are safe,” she said on Instagram.
“The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands. We are hoping for calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary. Although Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn’t believe we all got a sleepover in the basement.”
She added: “This whole experience is very eye opening & I am praying for anyone affected. Lots of love to everyone.”
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison, who was holidaying in Dubai with her husband Ercan Ramadan, was forced to stay in the country after her flight to Sydney was cancelled due to the attacks.
“Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening. But like many others our flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai,” she wrote on Instagram. “We’re 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. 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.”
She added that they are trying their “best to stay calm” and thinking of everyone “feeling unsettled and unsafe right now”.
Luisa Zissman , a former star of The Apprentice, revealed that her home in the UAE city was shaken by “massive bangs”, forcing her and her family to retreat to the basement also.
“Keeping the kids entertained and indoors,” she wrote on Instagram. “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 bangs 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.”
Zissman is not the only reality star who is trying to stay safe in Dubai amid the strikes – with Love Island 2023 winner Sammy Root struggling in the city while on holiday. “First ever day in Dubai, get me out of Dubai immediately,” he wrote on social media.
While series two star Kady McDermott spoke out about “scary times” in the UAE after watching missiles fly above her head. “The UAE government are doing an amazing job at keeping everyone safe by intercepting the missiles. Everyone stay inside and stay safe through this scary time,” she wrote.
The Independent has contacted the representatives of Lohan, Pattison, Ferdinand, Zissman, Root and McDermott for comment.
Many British tourists have been left terrified by the attacks, with couple Alison, 71, and Gul Woodward, 70, watching missiles fly past their hotel in Dubai. “It was really scary. We were shaking,” Alison told The Independent.
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