Dibas Shrestha

Their life

Dibas Shrestha was a 29-year-old Nepali migrant worker employed as a security guard in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He had traveled to the UAE about a year and a half earlier to support his family back home. Known for being cheerful, sociable, and humorous, he communicated with his family regularly and had planned to return to Nepal within a few months. He was tragically killed on March 1, 2026, when debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck the area near Zayed International Airport.

Dibas Shrestha, a Nepali national, migrated to the UAE approximately 18 months before his death to work as a security guard, seeking better opportunities to support his family. He was described by relatives as cheerful, sociable, and humorous, and maintained close contact with his family via video calls. Shortly before his death, he had told his family that he planned to return to Nepal within two to three months. On March 1, 2026, during the ongoing Iran–Gulf conflict, debris from the interception of an Iranian drone targeting Zayed International Airport fell into the surrounding area, striking Shrestha and fatally injuring him. Seven others were injured in the incident. The tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of migrant workers in areas affected by military escalations.

How they died

Dibas Shrestha died as a civilian casualty during the Iran–U.S./Israel regional conflict, when debris from the interception of an Iranian drone struck the area near Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

On March 1, 2026, an Iranian drone targeted Zayed International Airport. UAE air-defense systems intercepted the drone, but debris from the interception fell into a nearby area, fatally striking Dibas Shrestha. Seven others were injured in the incident. Shrestha, a Nepali citizen working as a security guard, was on duty in the area at the time of the strike and died from injuries caused by the falling debris.

A plea from the family

Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed being shocked and saddened at the death of Dibas Shrestha. Relatives described him as “humorous and friendly with everyone” and were heartbroken, emphasizing that he had planned to return to Nepal soon, making his death especially tragic for the family.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Dibas Shrestha, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources