New Delhi, March 1 – Following the US and Israel's attack on Iran, flight operations to and from West Asia remain disrupted, leaving hundreds of Indians stranded in Dubai and other key airports. Many are appealing to the Indian government for assistance via social media.
Among those stranded in Dubai are Olympic medallist P V Sindhu, JD(S) MLC S L Bhojegowda and his family, Bengali actor Subhashree Ganguly and her son, and tourist groups.
Over 700 people from Madhya Pradesh, including two former MLAs, are stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to flight cancellations, according to a travel agents' outfit official.
These individuals had travelled to the UAE for tourism and business purposes.
Kataria stated that former MLA and BJP leader Sanjay Shukla is also among those stranded in Dubai.
"Due to the current international situation, our return to India today was not possible as the Dubai airport was temporarily closed. We are receiving full cooperation from the Dubai administration and the Government of India. We will return to Indore as soon as the situation normalizes," Shukla posted on social media. He also mentioned that his elder son is with him.
Shukla also posted a video on social media showing him pointing out smoke billowing after an explosion a few kilometers away.
Following the attack by the US and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israel and American military bases across the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
"The situation here is very bad. You can see that a bomb just exploded. All traffic has stopped. People here are being alerted and asked to stay in their rooms," Shukla said.
He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the safe return of Indians stranded in Dubai.
Indore MP Shankar Lalwani stated that several people from the city are stuck in the UAE, and the Ministry of External Affairs has been informed. "As soon as the situation normalises, efforts will be made to bring these people back to India from the UAE," he said.
JD(S) MLC from Karnataka, S L Bhojegowda, and his family are also among those stranded in Dubai.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government is in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs regarding efforts to bring people back safely. "I spoke to Bhoje Gowda. He said he is safe and is staying at a hotel," Siddaramaiah said.
"We are also in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs. We are making efforts to bring everyone back safely without causing any inconvenience. All of them are Kannadigas. Some 35 people from Ballari are stuck. The total is 52, including people from other states. We will make efforts to bring all of them back," the chief minister said.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the Centre is making continuous efforts to ensure the safe return of Indians. "Currently, the situation there is turbulent. Even flying a plane there is dangerous,” he said.
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu and her coach were left stranded at Dubai International Airport after flight operations were suspended. The Indonesian coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, had a narrow escape after an explosion occurred close to where they were stationed at Dubai Airport while travelling to Birmingham for the All England Championships.
Sindhu on Sunday morning described the tense moments on social media.
"The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour. A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport," she wrote on social media.
Popular Bengali actor Subhashree Ganguly and her son Yuvaan are held up in Dubai, her husband, film director-producer and Trinamool Congress MLA Raj Chakraborty, said.
The actor and their son are currently staying at a hotel in Palm Jumeirah. "There was an explosion near their hotel. The authorities there have issued instructions asking people not to step out of their homes," Chakraborty told