Chelsea squad in Abu Dhabi told city centre explosion was a gas leak and not ROCKET ATTACKS

Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad in Abu Dhabi are told an explosion in the city centre was caused by a gas leak – after the US Embassy initially warned of ROCKET ATTACKS

  • Chelsea are currently in Abu Dhabi preparing for their Club World Cup campaign
  • An explosion was heard by media in the Abu Dhabi city centre on Tuesday night 
  • Authorities have told Chelsea that the explosion was simply caused by a gas leak
  • The explosion was unrelated to recent attacks from Houthi fighters in Yemen

Chelsea have been told by Abu Dhabi authorities that an explosion and fire in the city centre on Tuesday night was due to a gas leak and unconnected to recent rocket attacks from Houthi fighters in Yemen.

Police and emergency vehicles sealed off a tower block after midnight in the city centre next to hotels being used by media and fans attending the Club World Cup, with Chelsea due to play their semi-final against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday, just three miles from the explosion. 

The United States’ Embassy initially warned US citizens of rocket attacks, before clarifying that the authorities had said it was a gas explosion.

Chelsea have been told that an explosion in the Abu Dhabi city centre on Tuesday was simply due to a gas leak

The authorities say the explosion was unrelated to recent rocket attacks from Houthi fighters in Yemen

Chelsea are staying ten miles away from the location of the city centre explosion, the aftermath of which was recorded on social media by fans of Brazilian club Palmeiras in nearby hotels. Local news agency said a building was evacuated and there were no casualties.

In January, the United Arab Emirates intercepted two ballistic missiles claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, over the skies of Abu Dhabi, attacks which were confirmed by the UAE authorities at the time.

In a series of tweets, the US embassy said: ‘Against the backdrop of recent security incidents, reports of audible and visible explosions in Abu Dhabi early this morning prompted the Embassy to issue a security alert to American citizens and personnel.

Chelsea begin their Club World Cup campaign with a semi-final against Al Hilal on Wednesday

Chelsea begin their Club World Cup campaign with a semi-final against Al Hilal on Wednesday

‘Subsequently, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority issued a public notification widely across all media channels confirming that the incident was the result of a gas cylinder explosion.

‘The Embassy extends its gratitude to the Abu Dhabi emergency responders who contained the incident quickly and assured the safety of the city’s residents.’

The UAE is part of a Saudi Arabia led coalition fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in nearby Yemen. FIFA has been approached for comment.

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