Watch: Crane crashes in stormy Dubai weather, 1 injured

3 cars around the vicinity also caught fire.

As the city is hit by sandstorm and thundery winds since morning, a crane came down over Nassima Royal Hotel and fell along Sheikh Zayed road in the direction to Dubai, near the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

A crane has collapsed on Sheikh Zayed Road. Authorities are handling the situation to ensure safety of everyone on site. #Dubai
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 3, 2017

Initial report of casualties one injured &evacuated to hospital for treatment.3 cars on fire&Civil Defence teams are dealing with the blaze.
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 3, 2017

Dubai Media Office tweeted that one person has been injured in the accident and have evacuated him to the hospital for treatment. Three cars were set on fire and Civil Defence teams are dealing with the blaze.

 

A video posted by Tess (@tessleev) on Feb 3, 2017 at 3:18am PST

(Pic by Zameer Hassan/Khaleej Times)
The accident has caused a long tail of traffic on the Sheikh Zayed road and the Dubai Media Office has advised drivers to use alternative routes to avoid traffic.

 

A photo posted by ???????? (@darushka_pups) on Feb 3, 2017 at 2:13am PST

Given the unpredictable weather today, it is recommended that people stay indoors.  
 The Roads and Transport Authority and the Dubai Media Office has also sent out a series of tweets indicating that the Dubai Metro is temporarily closed from Al Jafiliya and Business Bay. Bus services are available in the affected stations.
Police are stopping the flow of people up the escalators to prevent too many people from being on the platform at once.

The #SheikhZayedRoad is clogged with traffic after a crane fell over Nassima Royal Hotel, burning 3 cars. (Video by Saman Haziq / KT) pic.twitter.com/ssUddKS5yl

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) February 3, 2017

#RTA announced the temporary disruption of Dubai Metro service between Jafilyah and Business Bay Stations (1/4)
- RTA (@RTA_Dubai) February 3, 2017

as safety a precaution due to the falling debris on the metro tracks from the crane accident on Sheikh Zayed Road. (2/4)
- RTA (@RTA_Dubai) February 3, 2017

#RTA has provided  alternative bus service between affected stations (3/4)
- RTA (@RTA_Dubai) February 3, 2017

and is working on the return of service to normal earliest possible. (4/4)
- RTA (@RTA_Dubai) February 3, 2017

Crowds at Business Bay Metro (Photos by Bernd Debusmann Jr)

UPDATE

The Dubai Metro has returned to normal operation according to an update by the RTA.

#RTA announces the return of Dubai Metro service to normal. Thanks for your cooperation. #DubaiMetro
- RTA (@RTA_Dubai) February 3, 2017

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 With inputs from Bernd Debusmann Jr

• Dubai