Sheffield mum and daughter trapped in Dubai waiting for flights after rockets hit famous Palm Jumeirah
A Sheffield mum and daughter are trapped in Dubai waiting for flights home after rockets fired from Iran hit the famous Palm Jumeirah.
Nichola and Olivia Morton, aged 56 and 25, were on holiday at the luxury UAE destination when they received a sickening nationwide alert on their phones on February 28.
Iran had retaliated to the combined US and Israeli attack with missile and drone strikes at its Gulf neighbours - include rockets hitting one of Dubai’s famous man-made islands, the Palm Jumeirah.
The terrified mother and daughter duo were ordered to run down 18 storeys of stairs of their hotel, the Millennium, to take shelter in the lobby.
Nichola’s sister, Amanda Howe, also from Sheffield, told The Star how their whole family are anxiously waiting for updates.
“They told me they were absolutely terrified at the sounds, at the banging outside,” Amanda said.
“They could see the missiles out the window.
“They got to the lobby and everyone was screaming and crying.”
Nichola and Olivia were at the luxury city for a holiday and were due to fly home today (March 2).
The retaliatory attacks on Saturday struck Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm Hotel, with videos circulating of fire and smoke in the lobby.
Zabal Ali Port, in Dubai, and Zayed International Airport, in Abu Dhabi, were also struck. Three people were killed.
Amanda said: “They’re desperate to go home.
“They’ve met quite a lot of people having the same experience.
“They haven’t gone to the airport and I’ve heard there are countless people there waiting for flights.
“They’ve stayed in their hotel, but still being charged for each extra day.
“But they said the staff have been amazing in supporting them. On Saturday night in the lobby, staff were handing out water and helping even as they were crying themselves.
“Nichola said Sunday was quieter but everyone is still frightened.
“Everyone in the family messages often to say we’re thinking about them and just want them home.
“I know they haven’t had it as bad as some this weekend, but they’re still your loved ones. They’re all we can think about.”
On Monday morning, airlines Etihad Airways and Emirates said that all flights from the United Arab Emirates are suspended until Tuesday afternoon.
Flights are reportedly scheduled to leave Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon to London and Moscow.