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People near the Persian Gulf were left dazzled and confused as they watched what looked like a ball of fire stream across the night sky on Monday. Many viewers of the phenomenon (video above) across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries were quick to capture the striking moment on camera as the “fireball” and its embers cut through the sky, while some wondered if it was perhaps the end of the world.

Speculation flowed thick and fast. Most assumed it to be a meteor shower, some assumed it to be the end of the world, while others cleverly related the incident to the re-entry of Russia’s Progress MS07 resupply ship from the International Space Station, or assumed it was debris from the break-up of Heavenly Place, a Chinese space laboratory.

The Dubai Media Office, however, slammed the conspiracies and clarified on Twitter, “Mohammed bin Radhis Space Center confirmed that a meteorite has passed through the skies of Dubai.” The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) also confirmed this, stating stated that it was a natural and regular phenomenon at this time of the year. The showers are likely to peak by October 20, they added.