(DDM) – Dubai, long celebrated as a bustling hub for tourism, business, and luxury living, appears eerily empty as escalating Middle East tensions take a toll on the city. Video footage shared by Belarusian news outlet Nexta shows a near-deserted beach, with only one person visible, as skyscrapers and yachts stand silently in the background.
The footage, posted on Nexta’s X account early Wednesday morning, has gone viral, capturing the stark contrast between Dubai’s usual crowds of tourists and expatriates and its current emptiness. Observers in the clip described the scene as “pretty dead,” noting that beaches typically filled with sunbathers and leisure seekers were now empty.
CNN-style explainer: Dubai has long been a magnet for foreign nationals, particularly wealthy Britons, drawn by its tax-free lifestyle, luxury retail, and sunny climate. Celebrities and influencers such as Rio Ferdinand, his wife Kate, pop singer Jamelia, and Love Island star Laura Anderson reportedly own homes in the city. The latest images, however, reveal streets and business districts largely deserted, suggesting a mass exodus of residents and tourists.
The situation follows a series of retaliatory strikes by Iran against Gulf states in response to joint U.S.-Israel attacks earlier this year. According to Dubai Media Office, two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, wounding four people — two Ghanaians, one Bangladeshi, and one Indian national. These incidents mark an escalation in attacks across the United Arab Emirates, which has already recorded six deaths and 122 injuries since February 28.
As a result, tens of thousands of foreign nationals are leaving the Gulf. The U.K. Foreign Office confirmed that a second charter flight carrying Britons departed Dubai on Tuesday. Analysts estimate that approximately 45,000 U.K. nationals have exited the region since March 1, part of the larger population of over 200,000 Britons initially in the Gulf.
Commercial air traffic has surged in recent days, with 32 flights from Dubai landing in the U.K. on Monday alone, reflecting growing concern over safety in the region. Economists warn that tourism in the Middle East could drop by 11% this year, translating to losses of £25.3 billion ($34 billion) in spending.
CNN-style explainer: Dubai’s prominence as a financial and cultural hub in the Gulf has made it particularly vulnerable to regional conflicts. The city hosts numerous international banks and financial institutions, many of which now face elevated security risks. The Iranian military command has announced intentions to target banks and financial centers, further intensifying concerns for expatriates, tourists, and investors.
The sudden desertion of Dubai highlights the fragility of perceived stability in the Gulf and the cascading effects of regional conflict on global trade, tourism, and expatriate communities. Analysts say the city’s recovery will depend on rapid de-escalation of hostilities and reassurance of security for residents and international businesses.
