Satellite photos show aftermath of Abu Dhabi ‘drone attack’ claimed by Yemen Houthi rebels
- Yemen Houthi rebels claimed missile and drone attacks on Abu Dhabi that triggered a fuel tank blast killing three people on Monday
- Saudi-led coalition then launched air strikes against Houthi strongholds in Yemen’s capital Sanaa
The images by Planet Labs PBC analysed by Associated Press show smoke rising over an Abu Dhabi National Oil Co fuel depot in the Mussafah neighbourhood of Abu Dhabi on Monday. Another image taken shortly after appears to show scorch marks and white fire-suppressing foam deployed on the grounds of the depot.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Co, known by the acronym ADNOC, is the state-owned energy firm that provides much of the wealth of the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula also home to Dubai.
ADNOC did not immediately respond to questions about the site and damage estimates from the attack. The company said the attack happened around 10am on Monday.
“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to determine the exact cause and a detailed investigation has commenced,” ADNOC said in an earlier statement.
The attack killed two Indian nationals and one Pakistani as three tankers at the site exploded, police said. Six people were also wounded at the facility, which is near Al-Dhafra Air Base, a massive Emirati installation also home to American and French forces.