Coronavirus: Dubai and Abu Dhabi landmarks light up with Swiss flag

Emirates thanks Switzerland for projecting the Emirati flag on to Matterhorn mountain

Burj Khalifa was lit up on Sunday night in the colours of the Swiss flag. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Dubai and Abu Dhabi's landmarks were lit up with the Swiss flag on Sunday to thank for country for projecting the Emirati colours onto the Matterhorn mountain.

Swiss authorities are lighting up the world-famous Matterhorn each night with the colours of different nations' flags.

Officials said it was to express their solidarity with countries around the globe battling the coronavirus outbreak.

Britain's Union Jack and the American flag are among those that have been projected on to the mountain.

On Friday, the UAE's flag was also displayed, marking its own efforts to combat the virus.

The UAE sent out a message of thanks to Swiss authorities over the striking gesture.

Prominent landmarks in the UAE, including Dubai's Burj Khalifa and Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, will be lit up in the colours of the Swiss flag in the coming days in a sign of appreciation.

The Matterhorn is on the Swiss border with Italy.

The 4,478-metre peak was first climbed in 1865. The expedition took a week and four members of the team died.

The current summit record, leaving from nearby Zermatt and returning, is just three hours, 59 minutes. It was set in 2018.

Zermatt tourist office, said it hoped that the flag projections would give hope to people around the world.

"The village shows solidarity with all the people who are currently suffering and is grateful to all those who are helping to overcome the crisis," it said.