An Instagram influencer faced criticism for sharing a video expressing fear during the recent attacks in Dubai following Iranian retaliatory strikes. Louise Starkey, an influencer from Australia residing in Dubai, posted a video suggesting that conflicts should be contained in less populated areas. The clip was filmed from a hotel balcony after Iran retaliated in response to US and Israeli actions over the weekend.
Dubai, along with other locations such as Abu Dhabi and Qatar, was among the places targeted by the strikes. The Fairmont The Palm, a luxury hotel in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah area, caught fire due to debris from a missile interception. Additionally, the Burj Al Arab and a terminal at the busy international airport were also affected.
As a result of the ongoing unrest, hundreds of thousands of expatriates and tourists, including approximately 240,000 British nationals, are stranded with airspace and airports closed. Despite the situation, Starkey shared a video on social media where she expressed her fear and discomfort amidst the chaos in Dubai.
In the viral video, Starkey mentioned being frightened by the loud explosions she heard throughout the day in Jumeirah Village Circle. She captured footage of the drones responsible for the disturbances. She expressed disbelief that such events were happening in what she believed to be the safest place, the UAE.
Although Starkey later removed the video, commenters expressed mixed reactions. Some criticized her self-centered attitude, contrasting the situation with conflicts in less affluent regions. Others sympathized with her fears but expressed belief in the UAE’s resilience and ability to weather the storm.
The strikes over the weekend targeted Tehran, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, along with several officials and family members.
