Dubai- It was a sea of humans and vehicles for several kilometres around the Downtown Dubai as the nation ushered the New Year with a party unparalleled in the region.
People stationed themselves wherever they could get a view of the Burj Khalifa as they soaked in six minutes of scintillating fire works that washed the world's tallest tower in multi-colour.
A dazzling array of live performances, pyrotechnics and musical shows preceded the year's most anticipated moment, leaving the crowd of over a million asking for more.
More was on offer but not at Downtown. On the coast, Burj Al Arab and the Atlantis offered an equally enthralling display of fireworks, lasting more than 10 minutes. Burj Al Arab lasted the longest with its golden balls of fire.
Dubai Marina and the Global Village also chipped in with it's display of fire works.
Earlier, the authorities closed down the Dubai Mall metro station a few hours before midnight as the crowd got uncontrollable. Commuters were allowed to get down at Business Bay, Financial Centre or Emirates Towers stations.
All roads leading to Downtown were also closed several hours before midnight and roads surrounding the area up to several kilometres as people partied and camped on the roadside.
Following the show, though the trains stopped at the Dubai Mall station, people weren't allowed to enter the station.
"Authorities didn't allow us to enter the station, they asked us to take the train from the next station," said a commuter.
UAE | Leisure
Rings of fire usher in New Year
A dazzling array of live performances, pyrotechnics and musical shows preceded the year's most anticipated moment, leaving the crowd of over a million asking for more.
- Shafaat Shahbandari, Staff Reporter
- Published: 01:06 January 1, 2013
- Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
- Fireworks explode from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai during New Year celebrations on 1st January, 2013. More than a million people watched as the annual fireworks show lit up the Dubai skies.
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