UAE residents erupt in joy

The frenzy of excitement has reached its peak and celebrations have begun across the UAE after Dubai was voted winner to host World Expo 2020 at the 154th BIE General Assembly in Paris today.

Fireworks also erupted in Downtown Dubai area after Dubai was announced winner. The UAE received 116 votes out of a total of 165 in the third round.

Image contributed by Emirates 24|7 Reader Himani Bhadra 

Many people had begun celebrations much earlier after Dubai won the first round. Dubai was voted number one in the first two rounds also.
People were glued to Emirates 24l7 website, their home TV sets and other social media websites since the final presentation began at 1.30pm UAE time.

Residents came out onto the streets in an impromptu celebration that has erupted across the UAE.

Image contributed by Emirates 24|7 Reader Himani Bhadra 

All the major roads in Dubai have also been recording heavy traffic as people go out to celebrate the victory.

Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road, World Trade Centre, Deira and Bur Dubai have been heavy and moving at snail's pace.

People are out on the streets to see fireworks which are expected to be in Downtown Dubai.

Social media channels were alive with twitter and Facebook posts and news website such as Emirates 24|7 were swamped with readers wanting to know the minute-by-minute reportage as the voting went live at 5:30pm today.

Image contributed by Emirates 24|7 Reader Himani Bhadra 

The Dubai International Financial Centre and Burj Khalifa Dowtown District were getting filled up by 6pm as a by-choice venue of Dubai residents gathering in anticipation of a positive vote.

"It was a hard-fought victory; we were up against strong competitors, to whom we offer our full respect and sincere wishes," said the Dubai Expo 2020 team in a tweet.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.