The haunting abandoned village near Dubai that’s slowly being buried by sand

The mysterious side of the UAE: Eerie images and video footage show the haunting abandoned village near Dubai that’s slowly being buried by sand

  • Photographer Jade Brimfield travelled to a tiny deserted village in the UAE that is just 37 miles from Dubai  
  • Empty settlement only consists of a handful of houses, as well as a mosque that overlooks the entire village
  • Buildings are now crumbling under the baking desert sun and are being overrun with piles of sand  

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Towering futuristic skyscrapers, ultra-luxurious hotels and mega shopping malls are what most people associate with the United Arab Emirates.

But one photographer has shown how the glitzy Middle Eastern country also has a less glamorous, more mysterious side.

Jade Brimfield, from the UK, captured eerie images and drone footage of a ghost town close to Al Madam, which lies 37 miles from Dubai. Desert sand is slowly swallowing its buildings.

 

Photographer Jade Brimfield travelled to an abandoned village close to Al Madam in the United Arab Emirates

The desert sand is slowly burying the buildings - and the spectacle is decidedly eerie

The desert sand is slowly burying the buildings – and the spectacle is decidedly eerie 

It is unclear exactly why this small village, some of which was built as recently as the 1980s, was abandoned

The green mosque, which Jade says overlooks the entire village

It is unclear exactly why this small village, some of which was built as recently as the 1980s, was abandoned. Pictured right is the green mosque, which Jade says overlooks the entire village

The empty settlement consists of a handful of houses as well as a mosque that overlooks the entire village.

But these buildings are now gradually crumbling under the baking sun, with piles of sand filling the rooms.

Jade told MailOnline Travel: ‘It felt so calm and serene as we had the entire town to ourselves. But as the sun set and the wind picked up, it did begin to feel a little creepy.

‘My favourite picture is the self-portrait of me in the shadows among the desert. I really enjoyed embracing Arabic fashion and mixing it with the amazing scenery.’

This still from Jade's drone footage shows the 'main street' of the village

This still from Jade’s drone footage shows the ‘main street’ of the village

The village is now at the mercy of Mother Nature. Jade can be seen on the left-hand side of this image

The village is now at the mercy of Mother Nature. Jade can be seen on the left-hand side of this image

The village is becoming increasingly popular with photographers and Instagrammers

The village is becoming increasingly popular with photographers and Instagrammers

Local legend has it that a supernatural creature, called a jinn, swept through the settlement - driving residents away

Local legend has it that a supernatural creature, called a jinn, swept through the settlement – driving residents away 

Jade said: 'Even if you are not into photography and just generally want to explore something a little different, I fully recommend visiting this village while you are in the UAE'

Jade said: ‘Even if you are not into photography and just generally want to explore something a little different, I fully recommend visiting this village while you are in the UAE’ 

It is unclear exactly why this small village, some of which was built as recently as the 1980s, was abandoned. 

Local legend has it that a supernatural creature, called a jinn, swept through the settlement – driving residents away.

However, the other theory is that encroaching desert sand made it an inhospitable environment.

Jade poses for a self-portrait inside one of the abandoned buildings, which she described as one of the more lavish

Jade described visiting the town as 'stepping back in time'

Jade poses for a self-portrait inside one of the abandoned buildings, which she described as one of the more lavish, left. She described visiting the town as stepping back in time

Jade, pictured, told MailOnline Travel: 'It felt so calm and serene as we had the entire town to ourselves. But as the sun set and the wind picked up, it did begin to feel a little creepy'

Jade, pictured, told MailOnline Travel: ‘It felt so calm and serene as we had the entire town to ourselves. But as the sun set and the wind picked up, it did begin to feel a little creepy’ 

Today, the village is becoming increasingly popular with photographers and Instagrammers, who make the short trip from Dubai to capture its spookiness.

Jade added: ‘Even if you are not into photography and just generally want to explore something a little different, I fully recommend visiting this village while you are in the UAE.

‘Not only will you escape the crowds in Abu Dhabi and Dubai but you also get the chance to be taken back in time to a town that supposedly holds a windswept past.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk