Hanoi [Vietnam], March 5: According to the Daily Mail , Dubai (United Arab Emirates - UAE) has long been considered a symbol of prosperity and safety in the Middle East. The city attracts the super-rich and global billionaires , who are willing to spend tens of millions of dollars on beachfront villas, penthouses, or mansions in gated communities. However, this past weekend, when unexpected airstrikes occurred, the city center with its iconic skyscrapers was engulfed in flames, forcing many residents to seek shelter in their own homes.
Dubai airport and several luxury resorts were rocked by Iranian missiles without warning. For a city with an extremely low rate of violent crime like Dubai, this was a major shock. Previously, many believed that the bunkers designed to protect against terrorism, kidnapping, or armed intrusion were merely precautionary measures, and had never even been used.
In expensive residential areas like Emirates Hills or Palm Jumeirah, it's not uncommon to find villas equipped with reinforced basements, blast-proof steel doors, thick load-bearing walls, and independent backup power systems. Some ultra-luxury mansions even have their own substations and military-grade safe rooms, costing millions of dollars to build. When the threat of missiles and drones becomes apparent, these structures immediately prove effective.
The Zabeel Palace, the residence of the Al Maktoum family, who rule Dubai, is protected 24/7 by armed forces. According to the Daily Mail , the complex has a high-tech security system that can be activated with a single button and operate independently for weeks if under lockdown. Despite the risk of escalating conflict, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum appeared at the Dubai Mall earlier this week, as a way to reassure the public.
Celebrities share their "underground shelter" experiences.
Not only royalty, but also businesspeople and celebrities have shared their experiences of "sheltering underground." Businessman Ebraheem Al Samadi, the face of the reality TV show Dubai Bling , posted a video from his underground gym, stating that his family is safe. The spacious, modernly equipped room is now not only a workout space but also a temporary defensive refuge.
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate, along with their children, also had to go downstairs when they heard loud explosions. Sharing on social media, Kate described it as "a very scary night," but affirmed that they were okay and trusted the UAE's defense system. The family had prepared an emergency plan with drinking water, blankets, and space for pets, in case the situation dragged on.
Other prominent figures, such as Luisa Zissman, a 38-year-old television presenter, also said they had limited their outings and kept their children indoors after hearing several loud explosions. Some chose to stay in basements or garages, especially residents of high-rise buildings with many glass windows, where the risk of glass shattering during tremors was a major concern.
Dubai was once considered a destination largely unaffected by regional upheavals. But recent developments show that even this wealthy and heavily guarded city is not entirely immune to geopolitical risks. And in this context, million-dollar bunkers, symbols of luxurious preparedness, are now becoming temporary living spaces for the rich and famous amidst the storm of instability.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
