Late-night explosion in the capital of UAE -Abu Dhabi

By Sophia Banos-Lindner

A major explosion struck at a high rise in the center of Abu Dhabi, initially sparking fears of a possible terrorist attack.

Footage captured a deafening bang and a large orange fireball flash near the top of the downtown skyscraper as sirens sounded. Witnesses claimed to have heard two explosions.

Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement the explosion was caused by a gas container erupting inside the building on Hamdan Street.

It said the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority rushed to the scene at 00.09 am local time on Wednesday to put out the resultant fire, with no casualties caused.