British Cruise Passengers Trapped in Dubai Amid Iran's 'Burn Every Ship' Threat
Hundreds of British nationals are facing a terrifying ordeal as they find themselves stranded on cruise ships in Dubai and Qatar, caught in the escalating Middle East crisis. The situation has unfolded following Donald Trump's US-led raid on Iran, which has triggered retaliatory actions across the region, including targeted missile strikes affecting the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Passengers Report Explosions and Missile Interceptions
Passengers aboard six cruise ships docked in the Gulf nation and neighboring Abu Dhabi have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences. Many report hearing "loud bangs" as nearby missiles are intercepted and detonated, creating a state of panic among those who had traveled for holidays in Dubai and now require evacuation.
Jan Arnott, 71, from Woodford Green in East London, who is stuck aboard the MSC Euribia with her 75-year-old husband, described the atmosphere as 'relaxed' but noted: "We saw defence planes and smoke from the attack on the airport but have felt safe throughout. Nobody at home can believe what we are saying."
Another passenger, Lesley Ballantyne from Scotland, recounted waking up to an emergency alert on her phone instructing her and her husband to "seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building" due to an imminent threat. She told CNN that while her husband saw nothing out the window initially, they later "heard some loud bangs" and had "seen some missiles being intercepted from the ship."
Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz, Threatens Maritime Traffic
The crisis has been exacerbated by Iran's warnings that vessels will be prevented from traveling through the Strait of Hormuz while hostilities continue. The regime has issued severe threats, including to "burn every ship," making it impossible for cruise ships to navigate away from danger. The Strait of Hormuz is the sole maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and onward to open seas.
As of March 5, thousands of passengers remain stranded on board vessels that should be progressing along their scheduled Middle Eastern itineraries. The MSC Euribia, for instance, was originally planned to follow a course toward Europe later in the year, but now cannot reach international waters due to the blockade.
Multiple Vessels Affected, Some Evacuations Underway
Alongside the MSC Euribia, other stranded vessels include the Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, its sister vessel the Celestyal Journey in Doha, and two TUI cruise ships: the Mein Schiff 5 in Doha and Mein Schiff 4 in Abu Dhabi. Cruise operators have confirmed that passengers will remain on their vessels throughout the continuing conflict, with close monitoring of developments.
In a positive development, TUI Cruises stated yesterday that approximately 218 passengers from Mein Schiff 4 have departed aboard a special Emirates flight heading for Munich. However, most travelers are still awaiting evacuation.
An anonymous passenger on the Euribia posted on a Facebook community for the liner, reporting they were "constantly hearing explosions" from their location in Dubai. A fellow Italian passenger noted the atmosphere is "calm," explaining that disembarkation is permitted but travelers have been advised to "stay inside for the time being."
The situation remains fluid, with passengers caught between the safety of their ships and the dangers of the conflict zone, as authorities work to resolve the crisis and ensure safe passage for all affected individuals.
