A British woman living in Dubai says it's like "living in a warzone" after being told to keep a window open in case of drone or missile strikes.
Elbi Henshaw, a personal trainer from Barnet, north London, said she was told to keep a window open in her 46th-floor apartment to stop the windows from shattering during attacks from Iranian missiles.
The 24-year-old, who moved to Dubai in January 2025 to escape crime and "miserable weather" in the UK, has been sheltering in her flat as Iranian drones have been shot down overhead.
She said: "I really struggled to sleep because I know we're really high.
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"I'd rather be on the floor outside than be in a high-rise building.
"We've been told to keep one window open so if anything hits the window, it can help relieve the pressure.
"During the day yesterday, the drones were being hit out the sky all day."
She said people on the marina side have fled.
Miss Henshaw said: "Yesterday when I saw a drone being shot down, my heart dropped, I felt so sick.
"If there's any building work going on, everyone thinks it's a drone.
"Everyone's so on edge and on their phones waiting for alerts."
The nightmare ordeal began two days ago when UAE residents received an alert telling them to shelter in place.
Miss Henshaw said: "It's been so scary.
"Two nights ago was the scariest night as we got an alarm at 12.30am.
"We were told to take shelter and stock up on essentials.
"We heard screaming and shouting outside our door.
"It was a family of eight running to the basement with mattresses and pillows."
She said she still feels a sense of support and community despite her fears.
Miss Henshaw said: "I actually feel less lonely that I did in the UK.
"There's so many people checking up on you.
"It's really nice seeing the community come together.
"But it's very eerie and quiet."
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