Top hotel’s partygoers stranded by fireworks

Organisers of a New Year’s Eve party at one of Dubai’s most prominent hotels have apologised after many ticketholders were unable to attend because of the Gulf city’s record-breaking fireworks attempt.

Hundreds of partygoers attending the Sandance concert at theAtlantis hotel were left stuck for hours on buses or by the roadside af- ter authorities restricted access to the man-made Palm Jumeirah island for the fireworks. The hotel is at the far end of the island, which was a centrepiece of the pyrotechnics display.

The event f eatured British singer Emeli Sande and veteran DJ Paul Oakenfold. The cheapest advance tickets cost the equivalent of £75. Organisers said in a statement they are “extremely sorry”.