Published On: Thu, Mar 5th, 2026
World | 3,214 views

‘We’re under fire’ – Brits trapped in Dubai describe terror escape | UK | News


Brits stranded in Dubai during attacks by Iranian forces have described fearing for their lives (Image: PA)

Brits who were stranded in Dubai during attacks from Iranian forces have shared their terrifying experiences, fearing for their lives before they were repatriated.

Over 300 individuals were flown back to Scotland from Dubai via the Emirates airline on Wednesday night after witnessing days of devastation overseas, with one woman confessing she believed she was a “goner.”

Families were overcome with emotion, shedding tears of relief as they reunited with their loved ones, who landed at Edinburgh Airport at 8.12pm.

Victoria Cameron, 57, originally from South Africa but now living in Larkhall, is partially deaf, and was greeted with a bouquet of flowers from her husband, Brian Cameron.

Recalling the initial missile strikes on Saturday, she said: “I thought it was a firework. Then we saw the second one, then the third one and we started screaming and the hotel staff said ‘run, run, run.’

“I was on the phone to my husband, saying ‘we’re under fire’ and they led us away, the phones were going, we were shaking and we were crying.

“I’m from South Africa, and I’m not scared of anything, we’re used to stuff, but I thought I was a goner on Saturday night.”

Mr Cameron, 59, had planned to travel to Dubai by any means possible after learning his wife might be in danger.

“I’d come up with all sorts of plans to drive there, just to be with her, I didn’t like her being on her own,” he said.

“The relief is just… I can’t put it into words.”

Jack Crowe, 26, proprietor of Borders Competitions, recalled hearing the initial blasts on Saturday.

He said: “I think when it first hit for me was, we were on The Palm, and our balcony looked inland, and a jet flew over.

Brits

Over 300 people arrived back in Scotland from Dubai aboard an Emirates flight on Wednesday evening (Image: PA)

“I ran out to film it and was following the jet, and then there was this massive explosion.

“I was like, ‘what the hell was that?'”

Holidaymakers Fiona Shearer, 45, and Lynn Buttercase, 49, described feeling “on edge” during the first strikes.

Ms Shearer said: “The Saturday was obviously horrendous. We were all really on edge, because you could still hear the explosions in the sky and things.

“We heard the airport explosion, and then these phone alerts went off.”

Ms Buttercase said: “In the basement of our hotel they made bunkers in underground garages, so everyone slept with their clothes on with their grab-bag, passport and had our phones fully charged.”

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Flights quickly diverted away from the conflict zone, stranding tourists (Image: Getty)

Ms Shearer continued: “For the rest of the time we were there, it was so quickly brought under control.

“In Dubai, everyone was quite calm over there. We were worried about not being able to get home, but certainly where we were, everybody felt quite calm.”

Kevin MacLean’s family rushed towards him for an embrace as he emerged from the arrivals terminal.

He was fortunate enough not to be particularly near the centre of the strikes, but was nevertheless “chuffed to bits” at the sight of his loved ones. Mr MacLean stated: “I wasn’t quite near it. I was speaking to a couple on the flight who were stuck in a basement in a hotel.

“In a way I’m quite lucky because we didn’t have to do that.”

When questioned about reuniting with his family, he added: “I’m chuffed to bits. You just don’t know how long it’s going to take to actually get back.”





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