Photo: Dubai Airports
Photo: Dubai Airports
Photo: Dubai Airports
Photo: Dubai Airports

Dubai airport medics save lives of three passengers within 24 hours


Ali Al Shouk
  • English
  • Arabic

Ambulance crews at Dubai International Airport have saved the lives of three passengers in separate incidents within 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

One passenger had a heart attack, when a coronary artery becomes blocked, while two were treated for cardiac arrest, when the heart stops pumping blood around the body.

The passengers, who were of different nationalities, were transferred to Prime Hospital in Dubai for further treatment.

“The first report was about a passenger on the ground at Terminal 3,” Mishal Julfar, chief executive of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, told The National.

“Ambulance crews reached the location within one minute.”

Medics at Dubai International Airport used advanced medical equipment to save the patients. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Medics at Dubai International Airport used advanced medical equipment to save the patients. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The crew established that the passenger was having a cardiac arrest and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to keep the blood flowing until his pulse and breathing were restored.

He was then transferred to hospital.

The second incident, also in Terminal 3, involved a passenger having a heart attack.

“Help arrived within two minutes and first aid was provided to the passenger,” Mr Julfar said.

"Using advanced medical equipment and performing resuscitation procedures helped to recover the pulse and breathing of the patient.”

On the same day, medical crews responded to a third passenger, who had suffered a cardiac arrest in Terminal 1.

He was transferred to hospital after receiving CPR at the airport.

All three incidents happened within 24 hours, Mr Julfar said.

No further details about the patients were released and it is unclear on which day or days the incidents took place.

Emergency services are dispatched from 17 medical points across all terminals at Dubai International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the world.

Medical points are equipped with the latest technology and tools to provide urgent treatments for millions of passengers.

Mr Julfar praised the work of paramedic teams at the airport and medical partners in the private sector.

“Our crews are ready around the clock to provide the best services,” he said.

“We have outstanding co-operation with our medical partners in the private sector.

“They support us by providing emergency facilities to welcome urgent cases transported by ambulance.”

Foods to improve heart health - in pictures

  • Oats are rich in soluble fibre, lower bad cholesterol, reduce heart disease risk and improve digestion. Photo: Łukasz Rawa / Unsplash
    Oats are rich in soluble fibre, lower bad cholesterol, reduce heart disease risk and improve digestion. Photo: Łukasz Rawa / Unsplash
  • Salmon contains high omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health, lower inflammation and regulate blood pressure. Getty Images
    Salmon contains high omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health, lower inflammation and regulate blood pressure. Getty Images
  • Berries are packed with antioxidants, improve artery function, reduce blood pressure and prevent blood clotting. Photo: Sneha Cecil / Unsplash
    Berries are packed with antioxidants, improve artery function, reduce blood pressure and prevent blood clotting. Photo: Sneha Cecil / Unsplash
  • Leafy greens are high in vitamins and minerals, lower blood pressure and support overall heart function. Getty Images
    Leafy greens are high in vitamins and minerals, lower blood pressure and support overall heart function. Getty Images
  • Nut contain healthy fats and fibre, while antioxidants improve cholesterol levels and protect the heart. Photo: Raspopova Marina / Unsplash
    Nut contain healthy fats and fibre, while antioxidants improve cholesterol levels and protect the heart. Photo: Raspopova Marina / Unsplash
  • Beans and legumes have high fibre content that reduces cholesterol absorption, stabilises blood sugar and maintains heart health. Getty Images
    Beans and legumes have high fibre content that reduces cholesterol absorption, stabilises blood sugar and maintains heart health. Getty Images
  • Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and moderately reduce the risk of heart disease. Getty Images
    Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and moderately reduce the risk of heart disease. Getty Images
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Sunday's games

All times UAE:

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm

Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm

Everton v Watford, 8.30pm

Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Updated: August 31, 2023, 1:51 PM