All Emiratis in Houston safe, says consulate

ABU DHABI: The UAE Consulate in Houston has confirmed that all Emiratis in Houston are safe following the explosion that occurred in a factory in the city on dawn Friday. It has advised all UAE citizens in Houston to register for the online “My Presence” service via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website or its smart application and to communicate with the consulate in the event of an emergency. “UAE citizens staying in Houston for the purpose of treatment or study were not present in the area hit by the blast,” said the consulate, urging Emiratis in the US to stay away from the explosion zone in order to ensure their safety. The explosion occurred on the outskirts of the city of Houston, 35 km away from where Emiratis stay, the consulate explained. It cited local authorities’ reports that indicated that it was a propylene gas explosion and pointed to a leak of some kind at the manufacturing site.