PV Sindhu Relives Frightening Explosion Near Dubai Airport

March 1, 2026

India’s two-time Olympic medalist P. V. Sindhu described a “tense and scary” ordeal after an explosion occurred near the Dubai International Airport, where she and her team were stranded amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Sindhu was on a transit stop in Dubai en-route to the All-England Open Badminton Championships scheduled to begin on March 3, 2026.

In a post on social media platform X, Sindhu recounted that a blast happened close to the area where she and her support staff had taken shelter inside the airport, causing panic and forcing her coach to quickly move away from the smoke and debris. She described the moments as extremely tense and frightening for everyone present.

Stranded Amid Regional Conflict

Sindhu and her team have been stranded at Dubai airport since Saturday after flight operations were suspended following a surge in regional hostilities between Iran and allied forces, including reported strikes and counterstrikes in the Gulf region. Several commercial flights were grounded as airspace closures affected major transit hubs, including Dubai.

The disruption has left thousands of passengers, including Sindhu, waiting without clarity on when normal flight services will resume. Videos and posts from within the airport showed chaotic scenes with crowds of travelers waiting amid uncertainty over travel plans.

Safe but Shaken

Sindhu confirmed that she, her coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, and support staff are now safe and have been moved to a more secure location, thanks to the efforts of Dubai Airport authorities and local officials. She expressed gratitude to the Indian High Commission in Dubai for its assistance during the crisis.

“We are all safe now and have been moved to a more secure place,” she wrote, adding that she and her team are trying to rest and hold on to hope as they wait for the situation to stabilize.

Impact on Travel and Tournament Plans

The outbreak of violence and subsequent closure of airspace across the Gulf has had broader implications for international travel, with flights by carriers such as Emirates and Air India affected. The sudden halt in operations at one of the world’s busiest airports has also cast uncertainty over Sindhu’s travel schedule and participation in the upcoming All England Championships.

Sindhu’s update underscored how global geopolitical tensions can have immediate effects on civilians and international sporting events, disrupting plans and creating distress even for high-profile athletes.