Dubai police arrest attackers after massive brawl that killed three

Police in Dubai have arrested 10 suspects in a massive knife fight that killed three people, authorities said Wednesday, a relatively rare outburst of violence in the Gulf emirate.

The police said the fight started over a dispute about money, with 13 men armed with knives and wooden bats fighting over 5,000 dirhams (approximately US$1,360). The brawl drew others in, killing three and seriously wounding more.

 Police did not identify the suspects beyond saying they were of Asian descent, nor did they specify where the fight took place.

Dubai police rarely offer overall crime statistics, but previously have acknowledged similar incidents in low-income expatriate communities and labour camps - dormitory-style housing for the migrant workers from Asia, Africa and the Middle East who drive the machinery of daily life in the city.

The killings come as Dubai suffers from an economic downturn precipitated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has triggered waves of lay-offs in the service-heavy economy. The region's financial hub relies heavily on the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors — all hit hard by the virus.

Dubai has redoubled efforts in recent months to protect and boost its safe and tourist-friendly image.

The US State Department has assessed that Dubai's crime rate “appears to be significantly lower” than similarly sized cities worldwide. “However, do not let this lull you into a false sense of security,” its 2020 United Arab Emirates security report warned, citing petty theft and “rare incidents of violent assault” in working-class communities.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected