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World / Gulf

Drone attack may be behind Abu Dhabi tanker explosion, fire

Published: 17 Jan 2022 - 01:07 pm | Last Updated: 17 Jan 2022 - 01:11 pm
File photo used for representation

File photo used for representation

AP

Dubai: Drones may have sparked an explosion on three oil tankers in Abu Dhabi and may have sparked a separate fire at an extension of the emirate's main airport on Monday, according to a statement by police.

Abu Dhabi police described the airport fire as "minor” and said it took place at an extension of Abu Dhabi's main international airport still under construction. The statement reported a separate explosion on three petroleum tankers near a storage facility for ADNOC, Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil company.

Abu Dhabi police said preliminary investigations indicated the detection of small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire. They said there was no significant damage from the incidents, without offering further details.

Yemen's Houthi rebels, meanwhile, claimed to have launched an attack in the United Arab Emirates. 

Houthi military spokesman Yahia Sarei said the group launched an attack deep in the UAE. He did not provide further details, saying a statement would be released soon.