Greeks living and traveling in the United Arab Emirates are experiencing mounting anxiety as escalating hostilities across the Middle East disrupt air travel and daily life, according to MEGA news channel.
From reported explosions and aerial interceptions to airport evacuations and canceled flights, members of the Greek community in the Gulf describe a volatile situation marked by confusion and growing concern.
Explosions and Emergency Alerts
Video recorded in Bahrain shows bright streaks crossing the night sky, prompting alarm among residents. Among those watching from her home was Anta Moschovitou, who has lived in the country for 20 years.
“We were very frightened. We immediately ran inside,” she said. “We received an emergency-style alert on our phones, then sirens sounded, and seconds later we heard a very loud explosion.”
Another Greek resident in Bahrain described multiple incidents within hours.
“There was a strike at dawn, another around 7:30 in the morning, and then additional strikes later, though less frequent than the previous day,” he said.
Similar scenes were reported in Dubai, where residents described repeated interceptions of missiles and drones over populated areas during both the night and daytime hours.
“There was intense activity throughout the night. We could hear repeated explosions,” a Greek resident said.
Dozens of Greeks Stranded at Airports
As tensions escalated, flight cancellations and airport closures left dozens of Greek nationals stranded without clear information or guidance.
At Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, about 25 Greeks were left outside the terminal after the airport was evacuated.
“The airport was completely empty. Everyone had left, and only about 25 Greeks were sitting outside without luggage, without phone batteries to contact our families, and without water,” one stranded traveler said.
In Doha, approximately 100 more Greeks were reportedly unable to depart, facing similar communication challenges.
“Our main concern is that we have not been able to receive support from the Embassy,” one traveler said.
Greek Youth Basketball Team Held in Abu Dhabi
The unrest has also affected Greek sports delegations abroad. The youth basketball team of Aris remains in Abu Dhabi after traveling to the UAE for a friendly match against Monaco.
The game was abruptly interrupted following an explosion at a U.S. military installation roughly 12 miles from the arena. The match was not completed, and the team has been unable to leave due to ongoing disruptions in air travel.
