Workers die in Dubai tower fire

The high-rise complex is still under construction

At least two workers have died and dozens were injured when fire broke out in a high-rise building under construction in Dubai.

Workers were seen on upper floors waving towels and hanging on to scaffolding as black smoke billowed.

About 40 people were taken to hospital, officials said, some seriously injured. The flames have been put out.

Officials are to launch an enquiry into the cause of the fire at the building in a development at the Dubai marina.

About 300 workers were on the site when the fire broke out in the 35-storey Jumeirah Lake Towers at around 1230 (0730 GMT).

The children were saying look at the people on the roof. It was horrible to see these people just stuck as the helicopters circled around them. Nicole Shipley Eyewitness In pictures: Tower fire Dubai residents' comments

Emergency services rushed to the scene as workers began to climb down to escape the fire and at least one fell - apparently one of those who died.

"One guy in red was trying to climb down and then he just fell. It was horrible," Louise Olson, who lives opposite the tower, told the Associated Press news agency.

"It was kind of like 9/11," AP quoted another witness, Steven Wullinger, as saying after seeing the falling man.

Four of the injured are in a serious condition, Dubai deputy police chief Jamal al-Merri said.

One of the investors at the project said it would be some time before the cause of the fire was found, but initial indications pointed to faulty machinery.

Many construction workers in the United Arab Emirates are Asians, mainly from the Indian subcontinent.

But officials have not announced the nationality of the casualties.