MANAMA — What began as a normal afternoon quickly turned tense for residents across Bahrain, as the sound of explosions, blaring sirens and reports of a missile strike triggered widespread panic and a rush to supermarkets.
Speaking to The Arabian Stories from Manama, long-time resident Saji Saran said the situation escalated within minutes.
“I heard around six blasts,” he said, recalling the moment uncertainty gripped his neighbourhood. “Within minutes, people started heading to supermarkets. Nesto was flooded. It turned into panic buying.”
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According to Bahrain’s National Contact Center, a service facility affiliated with the U.S. Fifth Fleet was subjected to a missile attack on Saturday, following reports of explosions heard in parts of the kingdom.
The development came hours after Bahrain’s Interior Ministry activated warning sirens nationwide, urging citizens and residents to proceed to the nearest safe location. The alert followed heightened regional tensions after Israel launched an attack on Iran, fuelling fears of a broader conflict across the Gulf.
Saran described scenes of confusion as residents scrambled to stock up on essential goods. “Money exchanges and several stores shut instantly. People didn’t want to take chances,” he said.
Videos circulating on social media showed crowded supermarket aisles and long checkout lines, as residents purchased water, rice, canned food and other staples.
Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the extent of damage or whether there were casualties linked to the reported strike. Officials have, however, urged the public to remain calm, follow safety instructions and rely only on verified updates from official sources.
The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, oversees naval operations across the Gulf and surrounding waters, underscoring the kingdom’s strategic importance amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
As uncertainty lingers, residents remain cautious, closely monitoring official advisories and developments across the region.
