A container ship at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port sent tremors across Dubai on Wednesday night.
Dubai Media Office tweeted confirming the reports, which had echoed across social media as many felt or heard the explosion across the emirate.
“A fire caused by an explosion within a container on board a ship at Jebel Ali Port has been brought under control; no casualities have been reported,” said Dubai Media Office on Twitter.
The videos that were shared across social media can be seen below:
The port, one of the world’s largest, is a key feature of Dubai and a central part of its economy along the Arabian gulf.
Dubai Media Office added in Arabic “Jebel Ali Port Authorities: Take all necessary measures to ensure the normal movement of ships in the port.”
Authorites also posted video of firefighters dousing the giant shipping containers in water, with flames visibly rising in the background of the video.
It is not clear what exactly exploded, nor what caused the fire, nor the extent of the damage. There is also no clarity on what surrounding cargo was damaged, if any.
Videos have been shared across social media of an explosion occurring in the distance late on Wednesday night.
According to the Associated Press, residents of neighborhoods as far as away as 25 km felt the blast near midnight, with glass windows shaking in many apartments.
The port is operated by DP world, and has four large container terminals and many of the world’s largest ships.
Jebel Ali Port is known as a vital link in the global trade network, linking East and West.
Keep an eye on esquireme.com for more updates, as clarity is gained on an event that has become the talk of Dubai late on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
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