Six cruise ships are currently stranded in ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, unable to depart as the Middle East conflict intensifies. Thousands of passengers, including Britons, remain stuck on board after receiving emergency alerts advising them to “seek immediate shelter” amid reports of missile threats in the area.

Some travellers have reported hearing explosions and seeing missiles intercepted nearby while cruise operators continue to monitor developments. The ships cannot leave because they would need to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has warned vessels against passing during the conflict.

Meanwhile, a number of passengers have started leaving the region on special evacuation flights organised by airlines and governments, according to reports from CNN and People.