At least one Nigerian has been identified among dozens of people injured after air defence systems intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles in the United Arab Emirates amid escalating tensions in the region.
In a statement on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said its air defence units detected a total of 262 ballistic missiles launched from Iran since the beginning of the hostilities.
According to the ministry, 241 of the missiles were successfully intercepted, while 19 fell into the sea. However, two missiles landed within UAE territory, causing casualties and injuries.
The ministry disclosed that the attacks resulted in the deaths of six people of different nationalities, including Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi citizens. A total of 122 others sustained minor and moderate injuries.
Those injured include nationals from several countries such as the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan and Palestine.
Authorities, however, did not provide a breakdown of the number of injured persons from each country.
The incident comes as the UAE continues to repel missile and drone attacks from Iran, which the Gulf nation says are retaliatory strikes over claims that the UAE allowed the United States to launch military operations from American bases located in the country.
On Wednesday, the defence ministry said its forces were still intercepting additional missiles and drones fired by Iran, stressing that the country remains fully prepared to counter threats and protect its national security.
Meanwhile, Nigerians stranded across several Gulf countries have appealed to the Nigeria government to prepare evacuation flights should the security situation worsen.
It is not yet clear how many Nigerians are currently trapped in Iran or other Middle Eastern countries affected by the conflict. Nations such as Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia remain popular destinations for Nigerian workers, travellers and transit passengers.
Responding to the situation, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the government would begin repatriating stranded Nigerians once the airspace in the affected areas reopens.
