Photos show travellers stuck in the UAE taking shelter from war at Indian expat's home

News

Photos show travellers stuck in the UAE taking shelter from war at Indian expat's home

2026-03-08 06:44 Last Updated At：06:50

AJMAN, United Arab Emirates (AP) — With flights across the Gulf disrupted by the war in the Middle East, an Indian expatriate living in the United Arab Emirates has opened his farm property to those left stranded. Tents and mattresses are laid out for travelers, who help prepare meals, share tea and snacks, play cricket and practice yoga on the open spaces.

Dr. Dhiraj Jain, head of 1XL Holdings, began offering temporary shelter after flight cancellations left hundreds unable to leave Dubai. Umang Soin, one of the guests who learned about the farm after flights were suspended, said Jain arranged transportation to bring them from their hotel.

Click to Gallery

Stranded foreign travelers wave to others as they depart from the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded foreign travelers depart the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers show their gratitude to Dhiraj Jain, an Indian businessman second from left in a white shirt, at his farmhouse, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler plays cricket at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers participate in a yoga session at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers lie down inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler sleeps inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers play cards as they sit inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers share evening tea and snacks at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Farmhouse staff prepare food for stranded Indian travelers at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers help prepare food at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler takes his clothes out of his suitcase after arriving at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Mattresses are laid out for stranded travelers inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers Mohammad Nahid, second right, and Amit Kumar, right, register their names at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler arrives at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Suitcases belonging to stranded foreign travelers are seen at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

More Images

Stranded foreign travelers wave to others as they depart from the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded foreign travelers depart the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers show their gratitude to Dhiraj Jain, an Indian businessman second from left in a white shirt, at his farmhouse, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler plays cricket at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers participate in a yoga session at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers lie down inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler sleeps inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers play cards as they sit inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers share evening tea and snacks at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Farmhouse staff prepare food for stranded Indian travelers at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers help prepare food at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler takes his clothes out of his suitcase after arriving at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Mattresses are laid out for stranded travelers inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers Mohammad Nahid, second right, and Amit Kumar, right, register their names at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler arrives at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Suitcases belonging to stranded foreign travelers are seen at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Authorities search debris after suspected tornadoes kill 6 in Michigan, Oklahoma

UNION CITY, Mich. (AP) — Authorities searched through rubble and debris in southern Michigan on Saturday after suspected tornadoes tore through the region and killed four people, including a 12-year-old boy, during powerful storms also blamed for two deaths in eastern Oklahoma.

First responders from multiple agencies in the Union Lake area near Union City looked for more possible victims and worked to clear roads, authorities said. Photos and videos posted on social media showed flattened homes and downed trees in a lakeside neighborhood.

The National Weather Service said an initial assessment confirmed that an EF3 tornado with winds of at least 150 mph (241 kph) struck the Union Lake area Friday.

The weather service also reported seven preliminary tornado tracks in eastern Oklahoma that same day, according to the state's emergency operations center.

The threat of severe weather continued Saturday in the nation’s midsection, with tornado watches posted in the afternoon for eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and western Pennsylvania and New York.

Severe thunderstorms that began in northern Indiana appeared to spawn multiple tornadoes in southern Michigan the previous day, said meteorologist Lonnie Fisher of the National Weather Service, which sent teams to the region to evaluate the damage and confirm tornadoes.

“Mostly likely there were three distinct tornadoes, but we won’t know 100% for sure until they finish the survey,” Fisher said, adding that the storms intensified rapidly in southern Michigan after hitting northern Indiana.

Three people were killed and 12 were injured in the Union Lake area, according to the Branch County Sheriff’s Office. It was the second tornado to hit Union City in two years. An EF1 tornado with 95 mph (153 kph) winds touched down briefly in May 2024 and destroyed a machine shed.

Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground Friday. Trees were torn from their roots, and debris flew into the air.

“It’s lifting houses!” she said. As the devastation continued, she exclaimed: “Oh my heart is pounding. Oh, I hope they’re OK.”

Dan Taylor raced home to Union City from his cleaning job at a nearby hospital that day to find his brother and two dogs safe. But a tree fell on his home of 20 years, and portions of the roof of a house across the street blew into his yard.

“I didn’t know what to say. I was lost for words,” he said Saturday. “I’m just thankful that my brother’s all right, my dogs, because it could have turned bad. We’re not guaranteed of anything.”

About 50 miles (81 kilometers) southwest of Union Lake, a 12-year-old boy died and several other people were injured during a possible tornado, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office said. Sheriff Clint Roach said in a Facebook post that Silas Anderson's parents found him injured and provided first aid, but he later died at a hospital.

Disaster relief workers went door to door in the Union City and Three Rivers areas to offer meals and cleanup supplies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she would declare a state of emergency in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties.

In Beggs, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a tornado was blamed for the deaths of two people in a house on Friday, the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office said. Two others were taken to a hospital.

The tornado cut a roughly 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) path of damage in Okmulgee County including Beggs, said Jeff Moore, the county’s emergency manager. Large trees toppled and power outages were reported.

Suspected tornadoes also were reported in northern parts of Tulsa, where a building at the Tulsa Tech Peoria campus was damaged.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency in several counties to free up support and resources.

The Oklahoma deaths came a day after storms killed a 47-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter in their vehicle in Fairview, in the western part of the state.

The spring storms come near the start of what many call tornado season, which generally begins at various times in different parts of the U.S. Experts recommend a few simple safety steps to take before tornadoes hit, including having a weather radio and a plan for where to take shelter.

In parts of the South, the weather pattern was expected to usher in extremely warm temperatures for this time of year by the weekend.

Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut, and Karnowski from Minneapolis.

Photos show travellers stuck in the UAE taking shelter from war at Indian expat's home

Photos show travellers stuck in the UAE taking shelter from war at Indian expat's home

Stranded foreign travelers wave to others as they depart from the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded foreign travelers depart the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers show their gratitude to Dhiraj Jain, an Indian businessman second from left in a white shirt, at his farmhouse, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler plays cricket at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers participate in a yoga session at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers lie down inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler sleeps inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers play cards as they sit inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers share evening tea and snacks at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Farmhouse staff prepare food for stranded Indian travelers at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Farmhouse staff prepare food for stranded Indian travelers at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers help prepare food at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler takes his clothes out of his suitcase after arriving at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Mattresses are laid out for stranded travelers inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers Mohammad Nahid, second right, and Amit Kumar, right, register their names at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler arrives at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Suitcases belonging to stranded foreign travelers are seen at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded foreign travelers wave to others as they depart from the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded foreign travelers depart the farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter, in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers show their gratitude to Dhiraj Jain, an Indian businessman second from left in a white shirt, at his farmhouse, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler plays cricket at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers participate in a yoga session at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers lie down inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler sleeps inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers play cards as they sit inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers share evening tea and snacks at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Farmhouse staff prepare food for stranded Indian travelers at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Farmhouse staff prepare food for stranded Indian travelers at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers help prepare food at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler takes his clothes out of his suitcase after arriving at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Mattresses are laid out for stranded travelers inside a tent at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Stranded Indian travelers Mohammad Nahid, second right, and Amit Kumar, right, register their names at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A stranded Indian traveler arrives at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Suitcases belonging to stranded foreign travelers are seen at a farmhouse owned by an Indian businessman, now converted into a shelter in Ajman, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Next Article

Authorities search debris after suspected tornadoes kill 6 in Michigan, Oklahoma

People pay their respects to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, in photos

Trump encourages Latin American leaders to use military action to help US fight cartels

Oil and gas prices rapidly rise as Iran war shows no signs of letting up

Yamal’s curling strike gives Barcelona a hard-fought win at Athletic Bilbao

Como wins third straight in Serie A after road victory at Cagliari

Wrexham leads twice and takes Chelsea to extra time before losing 4-2 in the FA Cup

Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer throws 4 no-hit innings in spring debut at age 41