Three individuals detained in Dubai for sending drone attack photos to their families

(Patria) - Three foreign nationals have been detained in Dubai following a drone attack on the building they were staying in, after sending photos and messages to their families to inform them they were safe, according to the legal aid organization Detained in Dubai.

The organization states that the residents were in their homes at the time of the drone strike, which caused an explosion. Immediately afterwards, they photographed the damage and privately sent the pictures to their families to assure them they had survived the incident.

"Instead of receiving support as victims of the incident, the residents were detained by the Dubai police after authorities demanded access to their phones," the statement from the organization, which provides legal assistance in the United Arab Emirates, reads.

The organization's Executive Director, Radha Stirling, stated that the authorities should adopt a more reasonable and compassionate approach towards the residents who, she says, reacted instinctively in a traumatic moment.

Dubai authorities temporarily suspended flights from the international airport today after a "drone incident" caused a fire nearby. According to official information, there were no injuries in this event.

According to data from the flight tracking service Flightradar24, several planes en route to Dubai from Great Britain turned back mid-flight. Among them were Emirates planes that took off from Dublin and London Heathrow, which made a U-turn over Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, respectively.

Several hours later, air traffic at the airport was gradually restored.