Dubai, UAE News Live Updates: All seven killed in Qatar helicopter crash, says report

Dubai, UAE News Live Updates: Qatar said on Sunday six people have been confirmed killed in a Qatari helicopter crash in the Persian Gulf nation’s territorial water. The Interior Ministry said one person is still missing from from the crash, which took place the day before. The Defence Ministry blamed “technical malfunction” for the helicopter crash. The incident comes amid the ongoing regional tensions in West Asia.

An unidentified projectile reportedly hit a vessel approximately 15 nautical miles north of the UAE’s Sharjah, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident was reported early on Sunday. Authorities confirmed that all crew members on board were safe.

*Diego Garcia attack:* On Saturday, Iran reportedly launched two ballistic missiles targeting the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, as per a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials. Neither missile successfully reached the target. One was reported to malfunction in midflight, while the other was intercepted by a US warship.

*Trump threatens Iran:* In his social media post, Trump threatened to strike Iran’s power infrastructure, signalling widened US strikes on Iran that might ultimately affect daily civilian life. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump said on Truth Social.

The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force said its air defence systems are continuing to intercept successive waves of what it described as Iranian attacks targeting.

Bahrain Defence Force said its air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed a total of 246 Iranian drones (UAVs) and 145 missiles targeting the Kingdom since the start of attacks on February 28.

Authorities said the systems remain on high alert, continuing to respond to successive waves of aerial threats as part of efforts to safeguard the country’s airspace and security.

*(Khaleej Times)*

Qatar confirmed that six people have been killed after a helicopter crash in the country’s territorial waters at dawn on Sunday, while search operations continue for one remaining missing person.

The deceased include Captain (Pilot) Mubarak Salem Daway Al-Marri, Sergeant Fahad Hadi Ghanem Al-Khayarin, and Corporal Mohammed Maher Mohammed from the Qatar Armed Forces, along with Major (Air Defence) Sinan Taştekin from the Qatar–Turkey Joint Forces. Two Turkish civilian collaborators, Suleiman Cemra Kahraman and Ismail Anas Can, were also confirmed among the victims. Search efforts are still underway for Captain (Pilot) Saeed Nasser Samekh of the Qatar Armed Forces.

*(Khaleej Times)*

Qatar Ministry confirmed the death of six of seven crew members from the helicopter crash in the morning. Search for the missing person continues.

Press release regarding the search and rescue operations following the helicopter crash in the country's territorial waters.#moiqatar pic.twitter.com/kXVVKA1ocm— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) March 22, 2026

Press release regarding the search and rescue operations following the helicopter crash in the country's territorial waters.#moiqatar pic.twitter.com/kXVVKA1ocm

The joint statement signed by UAE on the Strait of Hormuz passage alongside 21 other countries.

Joint Statement on the Strait of Hormuzhttps://t.co/fVPAYozdF4 pic.twitter.com/n25zPDCtLO— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) March 21, 2026

Joint Statement on the Strait of Hormuzhttps://t.co/fVPAYozdF4 pic.twitter.com/n25zPDCtLO

Despite the ongoing conflict, Dubai property prices stay stable. There have been no indications of drastic fluctuations, Khaleej Times reported. Demands for investment opportunities remain strong among the UAE and GCC nationals, along with long-term expats.

The Oman Foreign Ministry confirmed Omani citizens has safely returned from Iran. The repatriation was carried out through a mix of land and air travel.

*(Gulf News)*

The UAE has joined 21 other countries in a joint statement on efforts to ensure safe passage across the Strait of Hormuz. Countries such UK, Germany, France and Japan have already joined the group.

*(AP)*

The UAE National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast rain in some areas on March 22. The department expects showers in certain regions, along with partial cloudy conditions. Meanwhile, the UAE air defence system is reported to continue to respond to Iranian missiles and drones.

*(Khaleej Times)*

Kuwait Airways said that the flights to and from Cairo via Dammam Airport will resume their operations.

Starting March 26, flights will operate four times a week. Passengers are requested to arrive at the Khairan Mall terminal at least 24 hours before departure.

تسيير رحلات إلى (القاهرة) عبر مطار الملك فهد الدولي بمدينة الدمام ، اعتباراً من 26/3/2026 pic.twitter.com/HfebUOqlpY— Kuwait Airways (@KuwaitAirways) March 21, 2026

تسيير رحلات إلى (القاهرة) عبر مطار الملك فهد الدولي بمدينة الدمام ، اعتباراً من 26/3/2026 pic.twitter.com/HfebUOqlpY

On March 22, Air India and Air India Express are set to operate a total of 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights across Middle Eastern region.

#importantupdate Air India and Air India Express will operate a combined total of 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights, to and from the West Asia region on 22 March 2026.Read More: https://t.co/fXMy6rS3SG— Air India (@airindia) March 21, 2026

#importantupdate Air India and Air India Express will operate a combined total of 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights, to and from the West Asia region on 22 March 2026.Read More: https://t.co/fXMy6rS3SG

Indigo has advised all passengers to check their flights before heading to the airport, as some flights may be delayed or cancelled. Details of the flights scheduled for March 22 are provided below.

Travel AdvisoryAt IndiGo, our teams continue to work round the clock to support customers and help reunite them with their loved ones amid the evolving situation in the Middle East.As part of this effort, we are operating the below-mentioned flights on 22 March 2026, in line… pic.twitter.com/bcBdAvbepm— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) March 21, 2026

Travel AdvisoryAt IndiGo, our teams continue to work round the clock to support customers and help reunite them with their loved ones amid the evolving situation in the Middle East.As part of this effort, we are operating the below-mentioned flights on 22 March 2026, in line… pic.twitter.com/bcBdAvbepm

Flightradar24 said that the Gulf airline recovery index showed slow recovery. The recovery index was updated on March 21. 15 Qatar Airways planes parked at Teruel (TEV) have been excluded from the recent figures due to their inactivity.

The Flightradar24 Gulf airline recovery index, 21 March. Recent totals for Qatar Airways have been adjusted to remove flights into storage at Teruel. There are currently 15 Qatar aircraft at TEV with 5 more aircraft scheduled to move to storage Sunday. https://t.co/97jEqJnCCI pic.twitter.com/EkQKLivQ7j— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 22, 2026

The Flightradar24 Gulf airline recovery index, 21 March. Recent totals for Qatar Airways have been adjusted to remove flights into storage at Teruel. There are currently 15 Qatar aircraft at TEV with 5 more aircraft scheduled to move to storage Sunday. https://t.co/97jEqJnCCI pic.twitter.com/EkQKLivQ7j

Saudi Defence Ministry said that four drones targeting its Eastern Province were intercepted.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Saudi's unequivocal condemnation of Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and Arab and Islamic countries.

#statement | The Foreign Ministry renews the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unequivocal condemnation of the blatant Iranian attacks against the Kingdom, the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and a number of Arab and Islamic countries. pic.twitter.com/PZ9Yqg4wcc— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) March 21, 2026

#statement | The Foreign Ministry renews the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unequivocal condemnation of the blatant Iranian attacks against the Kingdom, the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and a number of Arab and Islamic countries. pic.twitter.com/PZ9Yqg4wcc

The Saudi Defence Ministry confirmed that three Iranian missiles were launched towards Riyadh. One of the missiles was intercepted, while the other two fell in uninhabited areas.

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: رصد إطلاق 3 صواريخ باليستية باتجاه منطقة الرياض، وقد تم اعتراض أحد الصواريخ، فيما سقط الصاروخان الآخران في منطقة غير مأهولة. pic.twitter.com/ZRqeZmVO1p— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 2

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: رصد إطلاق 3 صواريخ باليستية باتجاه منطقة الرياض، وقد تم اعتراض أحد الصواريخ، فيما سقط الصاروخان الآخران في منطقة غير مأهولة. pic.twitter.com/ZRqeZmVO1p

UAE Defence Ministry announced that the Air Defence system is currently responding to incoming Iranian missile and drone threats.

تتعامل حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية مع اعتداءات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة قادمة من إيران وتؤكد وزارة الدفاع أن الأصوات المسموعة في مناطق متفرقة من الدولة هي نتيجة اعتراض كل من منظومات الدفاع الجوي للصواريخ البالستية، والمقاتلات للطائرات المسيرة والجوالة.UAE air defences are… pic.twitter.com/VSHetj7ljH— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae)

تتعامل حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية مع اعتداءات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة قادمة من إيران وتؤكد وزارة الدفاع أن الأصوات المسموعة في مناطق متفرقة من الدولة هي نتيجة اعتراض كل من منظومات الدفاع الجوي للصواريخ البالستية، والمقاتلات للطائرات المسيرة والجوالة.UAE air defences are… pic.twitter.com/VSHetj7ljH

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