An Australian influencer has sparked controversy after posting a video from Dubai, expressing fear amid ongoing airstrikes. Critics have labeled her remarks as ‘selfish’ due to her comments suggesting that such conflicts should be limited to less affluent regions.
Louise Starkey, the influencer in question, shared an Instagram video from her hotel balcony, capturing the moment Iranian missiles were reportedly headed toward a target in the United Arab Emirates last Saturday.
The airstrikes by Iran are in retaliation for attacks on its territory by the US and Israel. These strikes have reportedly caused damage to significant sites, including an international airport terminal and iconic hotels such as the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah.
In the widely viewed video, which has garnered over a million views, Starkey appears visibly distressed, standing on her balcony in a white robe, holding her face in apparent fear.
“I’m scared. I’m actually so scared,” she admits in the video, her gaze fixed on the drones overhead.
She further expressed disbelief, stating, “It’s not meant to be happening here.”
‘Can’t everyone just chill out?’
Starkey clarified that she was in the Jumeirah Village Circle, about 15km from the bomb sites, and had been hearing explosions for several hours but hadn’t seen one of the drones until she started filming.
Louise Starkey (above) shared a video on Saturday
She showed drones headed for Dubai landmarks on the same day the Burj Al Arab (above) and Palm Jumeirah were struck
‘I don’t want anyone getting hurt, you know what I mean?’ she said.
‘I’ve been hearing loud explosions in the background all day. The sound – it shakes the windows. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s the weirdest sound ever and now I’m seeing them.
‘This is not fun guys. We’re supposed to be in the safest place.
‘I love the UAE, I love being here, I feel so safe all the time – and now I can see it.
‘Please just stop.’
The video was viewed more than million times but commenters were divided over seven words Starkey said, ‘It’s not meant to be happening here’.
‘Not meant to be happening here has to be one of the most selfish statements I have ever heard. As if it’s meant to happen anywhere,’ one wrote.
‘The entitlement. It happens in Gaza, it’s fine. But if it happens to your luxury lifestyle, ‘it’s not meant to happen,’ another said.
‘We trust our leadership, and this phase will pass. Let’s avoid sharing videos that spread fear or panic,’ another wrote.
Iran bombed the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah (above) in retaliation to US and Israeli strikes on its soil
However, other commenters sympathised with the Aussie.
‘Crazy scenes today that we would’ve never imagined,’ one wrote.
‘It will be over soon. I’m in [Dubai], and I’ve been seeing them all day, but I have a very strong belief that this land is a land of peace and won’t be harmed. It’s just a temporary disturbance that will end soon. Stay strong,’ another said.
‘Hang in there, girly. It’s not nice for anyone. But worry about what you can control! And that’s your mindset,’ another wrote.
Daily Mail has contacted Starkey for comment.
The Australian Government has raised its travel warning for much of the Middle East to ‘do not travel’ due to the ‘volatile security situation’.
‘Retaliatory strikes are occurring in several countries across the Middle East region, following military strikes on Iran. There is a risk of further reprisal attacks and escalation across the region,’ Smartraveller states.
‘Due to the volatile security situation in the region and military strikes we’ve raised our level of advice for the UAE to do not travel.’
