Dozens of Maltese in the Gulf seek to return home as missiles fly across region

Updated 9.25pm

Dozens of Maltese nationals living in the Gulf have contacted the authorities to help them return home as airstrikes intensified throughout Saturday after the US and Israel attacked Iran. 

Flying people out of the region is not possible at the moment as several countries slammed their airspace shut, with Iran retaliating to US and Israeli strikes by firing missiles at multiple countries in the area.

Carriers including Air France, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, Air Algerie and Lufthansa announced widespread cancellations.

The foreign affairs ministry told Times of Malta it is in constant touch with embassies and consulates in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait City, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Ryadh and Doha to ensure the safety of Maltese nationals there. 

Minister Ian Borg said that over 30 people have so far contacted the authorities to return to Malta.

46 Maltese residing, visiting UAE contact embassy, consulate general

At least 46 Maltese nationals living or visiting the UAE, have contacted the authorities through emergency numbers, asking for information about the current situation or whether they could be returned home.

In reply to questions by Times of Malta, the Embassy of Malta in the UAE, in coordination with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the situation in the region has been looking rather dire for a number of weeks.

"Indications were received [Saturday] morning that an escalation was imminent in the region.  Following a US/Israel attack on Iran, the region shifted on alert mode."

The embassy noted Iran had made it clear that in the event of an attack, it had the right to defend itself. In retaliation, Iran attacked four American bases in the region: Al Dhafra Air Base (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar), Al Salem Air Base (Kuwait) and the US base in Bahrain.

Five rounds of attacks were carried out on the UAE: four in Abu Dhabi against several military sites; and one in Dubai on Saturday evening, hitting a prominent five-star hotel, as well as an area close to Burj Khalifa, and another area close to a mall outside the city centre, it confirmed.

The embassy added that, so far (by 9pm Malta time), only one fatality was reported in the UAE: an Asian national lost his life when hit by falling debris from an intercepted missile in Abu Dhabi. 

"This is why the population has been advised to stay safely indoors or to seek shelter in the closest secure building, away from windows, doors and open areas.  

"The Embassy of Malta advised Maltese nationals on several social media pages to take sensible precautions and shelter-in-place, with the first advisory issued at least two hours before the commencement of attacks on the UAE, following advance notice of the imminent attack. The UAE airspace was closed at around 1pm and remains so, until further notice."

The embassy added that 46 Maltese nationals - both residing in and those visiting the UAE - had, by 9pm Malta time on Saturday, reached out via several emergency numbers.

"Those who are resident in the UAE have mostly asked for information about how to behave in such situations, especially if this was their first experience of such scenarios, but several have asked for assistance to depart the country.

"Others, mostly tourists or transiting the UAE, have reported that their flights had been cancelled or delayed and also requested information about how to depart the UAE."

Ministry looking into how many are stranded in the region

While returning flights on commercial airlines are subject to decisions by local authorities, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is taking measures to map out the situation, identifying how many Maltese are currently stranded in the UAE and the wider region, with the assistance of the embassies in the Gulf region.

"Measures will be taken to assist where assistance is required, hand in hand with the local UAE authorities.  

"Maltese nationals have been advised to stay indoors and follow the local security advisories." 

Maltese soldiers return home

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri meanwhile said in a Facebook post that a group of Maltese soldiers from the Special Operations Unit, who were headed to Jordan for specialised training, were asked to return home.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has since announced that the bloc's foreign ministers will hold "extraordinary" talks on Iran on Sunday.

By 8pm (Malta time) on Saturday, the US and Israeli attack had killed more than 200 people in Tehran, while the UAE reported one civilian dead and damage from missiles in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Explosions have been reported in Israel, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, as the entire Gulf region threatened to be plunged into a full-scale war.

A fire broke out near the entrance of Dubai's The Palm hotel, after debris reportedly fell from the sky during an Iranian missile attack.

Videos on social media show a large blaze and smoke rising from outside the building.

Reuters reported that at least three big blasts were heard across Dubai. People are being advised to remain indoors or in a safe space and to stay away from apertures, including windows and doors. 

The attack on Iran came after US President Donald Trump expressed frustration at the country's stance in negotiations over its nuclear and missile programmes.

Trump said Washington's goal was "eliminating imminent threats" from Iran, and Israel's defence minister Israel Katz described the action as a "preventive strike".