Lincolnshire holidaymakers shelter from Iranian missiles in underground car park
A Lincolnshire holidaymaker has described how he and his wife have had to shelter in an underground car park in the Middle East while the conflict with Iran goes on in the skies above them.
Mick Brommell and his wife Tina, from Billinghay, had arrived in Dubai for a holiday on Friday and all seemed peaceful.
The following day they headed out on a trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, when an announcement was made on the loud speakers of the nearby mosque which explained that the US and Israel had attacked Iran.
But it was only later on Saturday, when they had returned to their hotel on The Palm Jumeirah resort, that the consequences hit home, as an Iranian missile struck the luxury Fairmont The Palm hotel just 500 yards away, directly opposite their own.
Musician Mick, who is a well known member of local bands The Ruffs and Just For Kicks, said: “We heard this bang in the evening and people came out in to the corridor. Looking out of the window of a neighbouring room we saw smoke coming from the Fairmont and that’s when we got scared, grabbed our passports and headed for the beach to keep away from falling debris.
"We stayed there for an hour and a half and it was getting dark. We could see missiles passing over in the skies above with flames coming out then landing with explosions and it was very scary.”
Since then they have been sleeping on deckchairs and bedding in an underground car park below the hotel for safety.
"It was a bit like a refugee camp. No-one was prepared,” said Mick. “On Sunday night we got beds down there as well. Some people wanted to go back to their rooms but my wife didn’t like being up on the eighth floor and getting trapped.
"People have been trying to put a brave face on but they have been in shock.”
The tourists have been advised to stay indoors to avoid falling debris from missiles and the couple have been hearing large explosions and planes overhead. “Every time there is a bang, everyone stops and looks up,” Mick said. All their planned trips were cancelled.
Flights have been cancelled and their hotel has filled up with travellers who cannot catch their flights home, but Mick said staff have been doing a great job accommodating everyone. He just hoped he and his wife might be able to catch their scheduled flight home on Thursday: “I just want to get back home now,” he said.