Possible drone attack sparks explosions, kills three at UAE airport

A suspected drone attack may have caused an explosion that struck three oil tankers in Abu Dhabi, which is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and another fire at an extension of Abu Dhabi International Airport on Monday that killed three people and wounded six, police said.

Abu Dhabi police identified the dead as two Indian nationals and one Pakistani. It did not identify the wounded, who police said suffered minor or moderate wounds.

Police in Abu Dhabi have not identified any suspects at this stage, however Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack targeting the United Arab Emirates, without elaborating.

The UAE has been at war in Yemen since early 2015, and was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched attacks against the Houthis after the group overran the capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally backed government from power.

Abu Dhabi police said preliminary investigations indicated the detection of small flying objects, which could have belonged to a drone, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire. They said there was no significant damage from the incidents.  No further details were shared.

Police described the airport fire as “minor” and said it took place at an extension of the international airport that is still under construction. For years, the airport home to Etihad Airways has been building its new Midfield Terminal, but it wasn’t clear if that was where the fire took place. 

The airport and Etihad did not immediately respond to requests for comment; however, several flights were delayed on Monday morning.