As the crisis in the Middle East continues to escalate, thousands of flights have been cancelled, leaving travellers, including those in Dubai, stranded abroad. Dubai, which has long been a popular destination for tourists and celebrities alike in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been rocked by explosions and falling debris from intercepted retaliatory missile attacks launched by Iran in the wake of the US and Israel strikes on Iran.
Many panicking celebrities have been caught up in the crisis, sharing their "scary" experiences being evacuated and retreating to basements in Dubai. Read on to see all the statements from the world's stars as the conflict continues to unfold.
© Instagram/ Luissa ZissmanLuisa Zissman
Luisa Zissman and her family set up an "emergency" basement following explosions in Dubai. The Apprentice star relocated to the city at the end of last year with her husband Andrew Collins and two of her three children.
Luisa shared the sound of a "fighter plane" flying overhead in a candid video to her Instagram Stories. In another post, the star revealed she was keeping her kids distracted with baking at home. Two of her daughters, Indigo Esme, nine and Clementine, seven, moved to Dubai with her.
"Replica Luxury Handbag baked bread rolls. Keeping the kids entertained and indoors. We got itchy feet and went to take them to the park and literally as we went to step foot out the door we heard 2 massive bangs that shook the house, we retreated and then heard another 2. So now movie time in the basement," she wrote.
"So surreal and scary. I do have faith that UAE defence will keep us all safe."
© Instagram/ Petra EcclestonePetra Ecclestone
English model and fashion designer Petra Ecclestone addressed the situation from Dubai in a series of candid videos, admitting "it was one of the most scary, worst nights actually of my life". Petra shares daughter Minnie with her husband, businessman Sam Palmer, and has three children, Lavinia, James, Andrew, with her ex-husband, James Stunt.
"We fled one place searching for peace, and last night reminded us how fragile that feeling of safety can be. It was terrifying," she captioned the post.
"But we are safe, we are together, and we are holding our kids extra close today. Grateful beyond words."
© Instagram/ vickypattisonVicky Pattison and Ercan Ramadan
Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison has been keeping her followers updated on her travels. Before the unfolding crisis in the Middle East, Vicky shared photos of her and her husband Ercan Ramadan on their flight heading to Dubai. "After how busy and chaotic the last year has been we really need this break together! And I'm so excited it's off to such a lush start!" she shared.
After explosions rocked Dubai, Vicky shared a lengthy statement to her Instagram Stories confirming they were evacuated and are "remaining safe and are hoping to come home soon".
"Just wanted to give you guys a little update as we are understandably still receiving a lot of concerned messages," she penned.
"We're sorry that we haven't been more proactive across social media but honestly, we've been limiting our time spent on here due to a growing amount of misinformation that feels really counterproductive to staying calm. I understand this is a really uncertain situation and everyone deals with it in different ways but we're trying to stay hopeful and measures, and this feels like the best way for us to do that."
She continued: "I am not an expert on geopolitical matters or international affairs, what I can say is that the narrative that Dubai is being 'bombed' feels like a hyperbolic one. Currently what we've been advised through government channels is that they are intercepting missiles competently and efficiently and what has subsequently caused damage and tragically harm is falling debris."
"We are adhering to all advice from our hotel and the proper official resources and remaining safe and are hoping to come home soon. We were swiftly and safely evacuated to our hotel's underground parking structure two nights ago, but that felt more precautionary than anything else. We are incredibly grateful to our hotel and the UAE government who are making us feel as safe and informed as possible.
She went on: "Ultimately, we are in one of the safest countries in the world, in a 5 star hotel and we don't want to add to the rising panic and chaos by stating anything other than rational fact or at the very least what we have been advised is true. And we're being incredibly mindful of our privilege in this situation. There are many more people in world right now in far more dangerous and heartbreaking circumstances."
© Jeff Spicer,GettyKate Ferdinand
Former footballer Rio Ferdinand and his TV star Kate Ferdinand, who moved to Dubai last year with their children, confirmed they are "safe" amid the missile attacks after sleeping in the basement.
"Thank you for all your messages and sorry for the silence, I haven't wanted to worry you all I just haven't been able to find the words. We are safe," Kate penned in a statement to her Instagram Stories on Sunday.
"The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands. We are hoping for a calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary," she admitted.
"Although Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn't believe we all got to sleepover in the basement," she said of her and Rio's two children.
"Thank you for all your prayers, this whole experience is very eye opening and I am praying for anyone affected. Lots of love to everyone."
© Getty ImagesLindsay Lohan
Hollywood darling Lindsay Lohan relocated to Dubai in 2014 , and met her husband, Bader Shammas, while living abroad in the city. The couple still live there with their son, Luai.
Lindsay said she was "praying for peace" in a message posted to her Instagram Stories amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
"Stay safe everyone. God bless us all," she added.
