Among those caught in the chaos were Israeli socialite Hofit Golan, reality TV stars Vicky Pattison and Laura Anderson, and entrepreneur Luisa Zissman — all of whom shared harrowing updates as Iranian missiles hit near the iconic Palm Jumeirah.
‘I Can See Rockets From My Balcony’
Hofit Golan, 40, had arrived in Dubai just hours earlier when the strikes began. Taking to Instagram, she posted chilling footage from her hotel balcony showing smoke, flashes and explosions erupting over the Palm.
“After being debriefed from my flights as the skies closed above us, I came home to see the Palm filling up with smoke,” she wrote.
“I can see rockets and explosions from my balcony. Reports of other explosions all over the city. Please stay safe.”
Her posts quickly spread across social media, fuelling global concern as videos appeared to show parts of Dubai’s skyline engulfed in smoke.
Flights Cancelled, Celebrities Stranded
For Vicky Pattison, the situation escalated rapidly. The former Geordie Shore star had been soaking up the sun with husband Ercan Ramadan just hours earlier — before finding herself effectively trapped.
“Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening, but our flight was cancelled and we are now stuck in Dubai,” she explained.
“We’re safe and trying to stay calm. We’re thinking of everyone who feels unsettled and unsafe right now.”
The couple remain confined to their hotel as airspace closures ripple across the region.
Mothers in Fear, Babies in Tow
Love Island star Laura Anderson, 36, had landed in Dubai with her two-year-old daughter Bonnie only hours before the strikes.
“Horrendous situation,” she wrote. “Bonnie and I are fine.”
Meanwhile, influencer Sophia Peschisolido — daughter of Baroness Karren Brady — admitted she was shaken after hearing explosions nearby.
“I never imagined I’d experience the sound of a bomb exploding. So scary. Stay safe everyone.”
Luisa Zissman, who relocated to Dubai earlier this year, also confirmed hearing “lots of bangs” from her home, urging fellow residents to stay alert.
A City on Edge
Missiles fired by Tehran are reported to have struck targets across the region, with Dubai media confirming injuries near Palm Jumeirah and emergency services rushing to the scene. Explosions have also been reported in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, with US military bases among the alleged targets.
Footage circulating online shows residents watching the sky in disbelief as sirens sounded and smoke drifted across luxury districts once synonymous with peace and privilege.
Global Fallout and Growing Fear
As governments issue shelter warnings and airlines ground flights, those trapped in Dubai are now waiting anxiously for updates — unsure when it will be safe to leave.
For many celebrities used to red carpets and five-star escapes, the experience has been a brutal reminder of how quickly glamour can give way to fear.
🌴 From paradise to panic.
💥 Explosions where sunsets once dominated.
⏳ And no clear end in sight.
This is a developing story — and for those inside Dubai tonight, the wait continues.
