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Attacks hit Dubai airport terminal handling Hungary traffic, thousands of Hungarians seek consular help
Fighting across the Middle East has intensified, with missile and drone strikes affecting key civilian infrastructure in Dubai, including a terminal that handles flights linked to Hungary, Hungary’s foreign minister has said.
According to Péter Szijjártó, the number of Hungarians in the region registering for consular protection more than doubled within a single day, rising from 1,893 in the morning to 4,144 by the evening.
Writing on social media, the minister said hostilities remained severe overnight, with Iran launching further attacks against neighbouring Arab countries. He reported that 137 missiles and 209 drones were fired towards the United Arab Emirates alone.
Dubai airport and landmark damage
Several strikes reportedly hit Dubai International Airport, including a terminal that manages traffic connected to Hungary. The airport is one of the world’s busiest hubs and a key gateway between Europe and Asia.
Local authorities said one waiting area suffered minor damage during an incident that was quickly contained. Four people were injured at the airport, InfoStart reported.
Debris from an intercepted drone also sparked a small fire on the exterior façade of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Another fire broke out at a berth in Jebel Ali port after further falling debris from an air defence interception.
Airports in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama were also targeted.
Flights grounded, airspace largely empty
Due to active missile activity, large sections of regional airspace have been closed. Major Gulf carriers, including Qatar Airways and Emirates, have suspended flights, and passengers are being accommodated in hotels.
The Abu Dhabi tourism authority said it would cover the costs of tourists stranded in the city. Flight-tracking services showed much of the Middle East’s airspace nearly empty on Saturday as airlines cancelled or diverted services.
Hungarian embassies on alert
Szijjártó said Hungarian embassies across the region are operating continuously and have increased call centre capacity to deal with the surge in requests. Diplomatic staff remain in constant contact with local authorities.
He urged Hungarians in affected countries to follow official instructions carefully and to register for consular protection if they have not yet done so.
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Wider conflict escalation
The regional escalation follows strikes carried out on Saturday by the USA and Israel against Iran. Later, US President Donald Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, had been killed in the operation, a claim subsequently acknowledged by Tehran.
Authorities in the UAE have reported at least two fatalities from the retaliatory strikes so far.
Time for Szijjarto to once again pledge his “mutual respect” and “friendship” for the Iranian regime.
@Larry, with all due respect, your comment shows that your hatred for the Secretary of State has reached enormous proportions! In Belgium, the Socialists and Communists, supplemented by the Green Crypto Communists, are extremely angry that the Iranian leader was bombed to his death! Even the socialist trade union was outraged! When a few weeks ago many thousands of Iranians were shot dead by one of the most bloodthirsty regimes, their silence was deafening!! They are the drivers of the Trojan horse filled with millions of Muslims who are the fifth column and agitprops in Europe!