Social media users shared videos and images of smoke rising from the industrial zone, though authorities have urged the public to rely only on verified information.

According to the Oman News Agency (ONA), a security source has now confirmed that two drones were shot down in Sohar Governorate on Friday. One of the drones crashed in the Al Awahi Industrial Area, where it caused significant impact. Emergency services and security personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. The crash resulted in the deaths of two expatriates and injuries to several others, authorities said.

The second drone came down in an open area nearby. There were no injuries or reported material damage at that location. In both areas, competent authorities have cordoned off the sites and launched a formal investigation to determine the full circumstances that led to the downings.

Officials have thanked citizens and residents for their awareness and cooperation during the response effort. They have also urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified images, videos or rumours on social media, stressing that information should be relied upon only from official sources. Authorities further assured the community that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard the protection and safety of everyone in the Sultanate of Oman.

Also read | Explosions rock central Dubai: Intercepted aerial threat hits Sheikh Zayed Road

Wider regional tensions provide context

The drone incidents in Oman come against the backdrop of heightened aerial threats across the Gulf region in recent weeks amid the ongoing 2026 Middle East conflict. Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have reported frequent interceptions of missiles and drones targeting their airspace as part of the broader hostilities linked to the conflict.

In neighbouring Dubai, authorities recently reported loud explosions and air-defence interceptions, with debris from such operations striking buildings in central areas including near Sheikh Zayed Road and the Dubai International Financial Centre. No major casualties were reported in those incidents, but minor structural damage was confirmed by official sources.

These developments underscore the increasingly complex security environment in the Gulf, where civilian and industrial areas have begun to be affected by aerial threats and defensive responses. Authorities in Oman and across the region have reiterated calls for calm and reliance on official updates as investigations and security operations continue.