Heavy fog across UAE causes flight diversions, road crashes

DUBAI: Heavy fog caused huge disruption across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with flights diverted and a series of road crashes reported as motorists were caught up in lengthy tailbacks. The foggy weather conditions caused several flights to be diverted to nearby airports. Some flights coming to Dubai International Airport were diverted to different nearest airports due to the poor visibility caused by the fog.

One flight coming from Faisalabad to Sharjah was also affected due to hazardous weather conditions and was diverted to Fujairah International airport. Moreover, Abu Dhabi Police recorded several road accidents involving 68 cars across the emirate with 10 people receiving minor to moderate injuries.

Abu Dhabi Police received 205 calls in total regarding car accidents alone from Al Dhafra, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi regions of the emirate on Thursday morning, according to media release of the police. Director of Operations at Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police Brigadier Naser Sulaiman Al Maskari said that the police sent patrol cars to assist the motorists involved in the incidents upon receiving alerts.

Al Maskari also said that motorists should leave enough space between vehicles to avoid causing accidents during foggy weather.