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Fake Dubai claims about 'explosions, shortages' come from outside UAE
Campaign reinforces the importance of fact-checking and relying on official sources amid the rapid spread of online rumours
- PUBLISHED: Tue 31 Mar 2026, 8:15 PM
Claims such as ‘I hear explosions in Dubai’, ‘Dubai faces severe shortage of goods’ and ‘life in Dubai has come to a standstill’ are being widely shared online, despite not reflecting the reality on the ground.
Most of these posts originate from accounts outside the UAE, often hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away, according to a new awareness post by the Government of Dubai Media Office.
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The office highlighted how such narratives are amplified despite lacking on-ground verification.
The latest visual builds on an earlier video released by the office, which debunked a series of viral headlines, including claims of ‘mass evacuation’, ‘airports shut’, ‘property market collapse’ and investors fleeing the emirate, marking them as fake.
“Misinformation and rumours spread fast. Stay informed. Stay with facts,” the office said in a statement accompanying the latest post.
Residents have been urged to rely on verified updates and follow official channels for accurate information.
Officials in the UAE have previously warned against the spread of misinformation, cautioning that sharing false or misleading content, including AI-manipulated videos and outdated footage, can result in legal action.
In recent weeks, law enforcement agencies, including Abu Dhabi Police, have also cautioned residents against filming or sharing videos from incident sites, stressing that such content can create unnecessary panic and misrepresent the situation.
As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.