VIDEO: Sheikh Maktoum ensures port is functional, horrified residents recount scary moments after Dubai explosion

Syed Shayaan Bakht, Staff Reporter

The Deputy Ruler of Dubai and First Deputy Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the Jebel Ali Port explosion and fire site.  Sheikh Maktoum directed the authorities to ensure that the port remains operational.

Sheikh Maktoum commended the teams including Dubai’s emergency crisis teams for their efforts.

The Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised his government team.   

He wrote on Twitter, “I am proud of my team for the speedy response and professionally handling of the fire incident in one of the ship’s containers in Jebel Ali Port... ”

Sheikh Hamdan said that “with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum... The Dubai government is proving its flexibility and speed of response to emergencies and crises.”

The Jebel Ali Port said that the inferno broke out in a container in a ship carrying flammable materials. Dubai Police and civil defence members and emergency authorities put out the blaze in 40 minutes.

The authorities said casualties were avoided also due to the quick action of Jebel Ali Port’s officials. The authorities evacuated the port and shifted the vessel where the leakage and smoke were seen.

The port authorities, along with Dubai Police forensic team are investigating the cause of the fire.

A doctor residing in the Emirates Hill told Gulf Today, “We were all scared. We came out of the house in the middle of the night. We were literally in the streets… Thank God no one was hurt.”

Omar, a resident of Jumeriah, said, “I live in Jumeriah and there was a loud shake on the walls, at first I thought it was the roof until I saw the news. The shaking was intense.  But I hope nobody was hurt or killed.”

Craig, a Dubai resident said, “I live in the Marina and my lounge balcony doors suddenly shook. It felt like a loud thunder clap or an earthquake. It lasted a few seconds but long enough to shake my windows from around 10km.”

Dubai police Chief Abdullah Al-Marri said that preliminary investigation suggests friction, or heat, may have led to the blast. He said that there were no radioactive substances.