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UAE updates Iranian attack figures: 3 dead, 58 injured as hundreds of missiles, drones downed
Official statements provide clearer picture about the attack, its impact across airports and residential areas, and the coordinated national response
- PUBLISHED: Sun 1 Mar 2026, 11:42 AM
As authorities in the UAE continue to assess developments following the Iranian attack on February 28, new official figures provide a clearer picture of interceptions, incidents and casualties.
According to the Ministry of Defence, UAE air force and air defence systems have detected and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Officials confirmed three deaths and 58 minor injuries resulting from debris fall, alongside material damage to a number of civilian properties.
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Authorities again urged the public not to circulate rumours, outdated footage or unverified information, stressing that legal action will be taken against those spreading false claims. Residents were advised to rely exclusively on official sources for accurate updates.
Here is what authorities have confirmed:
Ministry of Defence: Missiles, drones destroyed
• 165 ballistic missiles were detected since the start of the attack.
• 152 were destroyed.
• 13 fell into the sea.
• 2 cruise missiles were detected and destroyed.
• 541 Iranian drones were detected.
• 506 were intercepted and destroyed.
• 35 fell within the country, causing material damage.
• On the morning of the second day of the attack, 20 ballistic missiles were destroyed while eight fell into the sea. Two cruise missiles and 311 drones were also destroyed.
• 21 drones struck civilian targets.
Confirmed casualties
• 3 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationalities.
• 58 people sustained minor injuries.
• The injured include Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationals.
Abu Dhabi: Al Salam naval base incident
• 2 Iranian drones targeted a warehouse at Al Salam naval base.
• The strike caused a fire in two containers storing general materials.
• No casualties were reported.
Abu Dhabi: Woman and child sustain minor injuries
• Drone debris fell onto the façade of a building at Etihad Towers after interception.
• A woman and her child sustained minor injuries.
• Minor material damage was reported.
Dubai: Drone debris injures two residents
• Debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell in the courtyards of two homes in Dubai.
• Two people were injured and received necessary medical care.
• Authorities clarified that sounds heard across the emirate were the result of successful interception operations.
Abu Dhabi Airports: One fatality, seven injured
• Debris from the interception of a drone targeting Zayed International Airport resulted in one fatality.
• The deceased was an Asian national.
• Seven others were injured and received medical attention.
• Authorities urged the public not to circulate rumours and to rely only on official updates.
Dubai Airports: Minor damage at DXB concourse
• A concourse at Dubai International Airport sustained minor damage in an incident that was quickly contained.
• Emergency response teams were immediately deployed.
• Four staff members sustained injuries and received prompt medical care.
• Most terminals had already been cleared of passengers under contingency plans.
Dubai Civil Defence: Fires contained
• A minor fire on the exterior façade of Burj Al Arab was brought under control.
• Authorities said the fire resulted from debris from an intercepted drone.
• No injuries were reported.
• Debris also caused a fire at one berth at Jebel Ali Port.
• No injuries were reported.
• Authorities warned the public not to circulate an old July 7, 2021, port fire video, as it could spread misleading information.
GCAA: Recreational aircraft suspended
• The General Civil Aviation Authority suspended all flight permits for gliders, drones and recreational aircraft for one week.
• The suspension takes immediate effect.
• Operations, launch or flight of such aircraft are strictly prohibited during this period.
• The situation will be reviewed at the end of the week.
GCAA: State covers costs as 20,200 passengers
• Operational contingency plans have been activated across UAE airports.
• Certain flights have been rerouted and rescheduled.
• Approximately 20,200 passengers affected by flight changes have been handled in recent hours.
• Temporary accommodation, meals and refreshments were provided.
• The State is bearing hosting and accommodation costs for stranded passengers.
• Coordination between airports and airlines remains ongoing to support the safe and orderly resumption of operations.
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.
