Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and her support team have been moved to a secure location by UAE authorities following an explosion near Dubai International Airport on Sunday morning. The Indian badminton star was en route to Birmingham for the prestigious All England Open when she became stranded due to the sudden suspension of flight operations across the Gulf region.
The explosion, which occurred while Sindhu and her team were "holed up" at the terminal, caused minor damage to a concourse and sent smoke and debris near her coaching staff. The incident comes amidst a rapid escalation in regional hostilities involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which has led to the temporary closure of airspace over several Middle Eastern nations.
In a series of social media posts, Sindhu described the deteriorating situation at the world's busiest travel hub. She revealed that her Indonesian coach, Irwansyah, was nearly caught in the blast's immediate vicinity.
The situation is becoming more frightening by the hour. A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were... 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.PV Sindhu, Indian badminton player
Sindhu confirmed that she is now in a safe environment, credits the "tireless efforts" of Dubai Airport staff and the Indian High Commission in Dubai for their constant assistance.
Following military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran on Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, and Bahrain is virtually empty. Emirates Airlines has suspended all operations to and from Dubai until at least 3:00 PM UAE time today, March 1, 2026.
The timing of the crisis is particularly critical for the Indian contingent. While stars like Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty managed to land in Birmingham just before the strikes began, Sindhu remains stuck in the UAE with the tournament set to begin this Tuesday, March 3.
Sindhu is scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the first round. However, with Dubai's airport sustaining damage and four reported injuries, it remains unclear when the ace shuttler will be able to secure a flight to the UK.
Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected.PV Sindhu, Indian badminton player
Incident: Explosion near a terminal concourse caused minor damage and four injuries.
Flight status: All Emirates and Air India flights through Dubai are suspended.
Sindhu's team: Travelling with her physio, coach Irwansyah, and a strength coach.
Regional impact: Targets in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait have also been reportedly hit.
The Indian High Commission is reportedly in constant touch with Sindhu and other stranded Indian citizens. While the Burj Al Arab and DXB airport have sustained minor damage from retaliatory strikes, local authorities are working to contain the "chaotic" scenes at the terminals, where thousands of families remain waiting for updates.