Montrealer Escapes 30-Hour Ordeal in Dubai Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict
Cindy Cheung has returned to Montreal after a grueling 30-hour journey from Dubai, where she faced a harrowing experience amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Cheung expressed her relief upon arriving home, stating that she had not fully grasped the stress she was under while trying to remain calm during the crisis.
What was intended to be a 24-hour layover in Dubai en route to South Africa for work transformed into several days filled with fear and uncertainty. Cheung arrived in Dubai on a Saturday morning, unaware of the escalating conflict involving attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
Later that day, she learned from a local friend that airspace had been shut down due to the conflict. As evening approached, the situation intensified. Cheung recounted hearing loud booms and blasts during dinner, witnessing missiles launched as part of the United Arab Emirates’ defense system. The noise was attributed to debris from an intercepted Iranian missile that struck the Fairmont The Palm hotel, located approximately 15 kilometers from her location.
Cheung noted the atmosphere shifted dramatically as families and children were present, heightening the sense of panic among the diners.
Rising Tensions and Government Response
As the conflict escalated, Cheung felt the palpable tension in the air, leading her to question whether it was time to flee. Since the onset of hostilities, Iran has launched multiple missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf states that host American forces, including the UAE.
Following protocol, Cheung registered with the Canadians Abroad service and contacted the Canadian emergency number for assistance. The guidance she received was to remain sheltered, with no immediate repatriation flights available for Canadians. The following day, she received an email advising against travel to Dubai, which she found unhelpful.
Realizing she needed to take matters into her own hands, Cheung managed to book a flight back home via São Paulo, Brazil, arriving in Montreal on Thursday morning. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has since outlined options for Canadians seeking to leave the Middle East, including chartered flights and land transportation, contingent on the specific circumstances in each country.
Thousands of Canadians Seeking Assistance
Ayoub Dasser, another Montrealer currently in Dubai, shared a similar experience but remains stranded. He arrived in Dubai on the same day the conflict escalated and sought refuge in a makeshift shelter in his hotel’s underground parking garage as retaliatory attacks unfolded.
Dasser described the terrifying experience, recalling the sounds of explosions and the distress of those around him. He also registered with the Canadians Abroad service and found humor in receiving a similar email warning against travel to Dubai, especially since he had chosen the city for its perceived safety.
As of Saturday, over 109,000 Canadians were registered in the Middle East, with more than 8,000 requesting assistance, including 4,464 in the UAE, according to Global Affairs Canada. Dasser received a government email about reserved seats for Canadians on outgoing flights but was unable to secure a spot. Although he booked a flight to Warsaw, Poland, for March 10, he continues to explore other options.
Ongoing Concerns Amid Airstrikes
Despite local authorities providing support, Dasser expressed ongoing concern about the situation’s unpredictability. He noted that air raid sirens and missile interceptions rattled Dubai once again on Saturday morning, leading to a temporary closure of Dubai International Airport after debris struck a terminal. Flights resumed shortly after, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly apologized to Gulf neighbors, stating that Iran would not target neighboring countries unless attacked first.
However, Iranian military officials clarified that strikes against U.S. and Israeli assets would persist, including those targeting bases involved in launching attacks. Across the Gulf, Iranian strikes have primarily targeted U.S. bases, embassy compounds, and major oil and gas facilities. In the UAE, which has faced the highest number of attacks, airports, data centers, and luxury hotels have also been affected, resulting in civilian casualties.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed that it is “not aware of any Canadians who have been injured or killed because of the hostilities” as it continues efforts to assist Canadians in returning home safely.
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Published on 2026-03-08 03:54:00 • By Editorial Desk
