‘Extremely tense and scary’: PV Sindhu after explosion near Dubai Airport

New Delhi: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has described a tense and frightening experience after an explosion occurred near Dubai International Airport, close to the area where she and her team were sheltering during a major travel disruption triggered by the escalating West Asia conflict.

The two-time Olympic medallist was en route to Birmingham for the prestigious All England Open, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, when she had a layover at Dubai International Airport. However, flight operations were suspended amid rising regional tensions, leaving several passengers, including Sindhu, stranded.

Explosion near Dubai airport sparks panic

In a message shared on social media, Sindhu said the situation grew increasingly alarming as the day progressed. She revealed that an explosion took place a short distance from where she and her team had taken refuge inside the airport premises.

“The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour,” Sindhu wrote.

Describing the incident, she added that smoke and debris were visible near the blast site, creating panic among those nearby. Her coach, who was closest to the affected area, had to immediately move away as a precaution.

“A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport. My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was closest to the smoke and debris. It was an extremely tense and scary moment for all of us,” she said.

All England Open travel is disrupted

Sindhu, who is set to compete at the All England Open in Birmingham, was among many international travellers impacted by the Dubai airport flight disruption. Earlier, she had shared visuals from inside the airport on Instagram, noting that all flights had been suspended until further notice.

The sudden halt in operations at Dubai International Airport came amid heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, affecting regional airspace and international travel routes.

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Airport authorities and the Indian High Commission assist

The Olympic medallist later confirmed that she, her coach and support staff are safe. They have since been shifted to a more secure area within the airport complex.

Sindhu expressed gratitude to Dubai International Airport staff and local authorities for their swift response and coordination during the emergency. She also thanked the Indian High Commission in Dubai for extending continuous support.

“For now, we are trying to get some rest and hold on to hope as we wait for things to settle,” she added.

While the explosion scare left the Indian badminton star shaken, she assured fans that her team remains safe as authorities continue to manage the situation around Dubai International Airport.

IANS