New Delhi: Several Telugu families from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, who had traveled to Bahrain amid the Iran-Israel tensions, are stranded there. Arriving on tourist visas for a four-day trip on February 24th, they are now staying in hotels and apartments in Bahrain’s capital, Mana. The situation suddenly worsened, resulting in flights being canceled, airspace being closed, and even check-in counters being shut down following a missile alert at the airport. This has prevented the return of hundreds of Indians.
A video was released by Hyderabad resident Salmon Raj.
Salman Raj, a resident of Hyderabad, released a video appealing for immediate help from the central government, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. In the video, he described how when he and his companions arrived at the airport for their return journey, the sounds of bombs and missiles could be heard nearby. Many people who arrived to obtain boarding passes were turned away.
Solomon Raj said they are all staying in a hotel, but their money is running low and the elderly need medicine. He said, “We appeal to the Indian government, Telangana, and Andhra governments to evacuate us safely soon. The situation here is not good.” It is reported that the number of stranded tourists is over a hundred. Several families have also released videos describing their plight.
Allegations of not getting clear information from the embassy
Stranded people say they are not receiving clear and complete information from the Indian Embassy. One tourist said the embassy only advised them to stay in hotels, but provided no further information about their future plans. Lack of money and medicine is particularly troubling for the elderly and the sick.
The Telangana government has already set up a control room for Telugu people stranded in Gulf countries. The Andhra Pradesh government has also initiated assistance through the APNRTS and advised some people to travel to Muscat. Both state governments, along with the central government, are in close contact with the Ministry of External Affairs and are monitoring the situation.
Several flights have been cancelled at Hyderabad airport as well.
This incident comes at a time when the closure of airspace in the Middle East has also affected India. Several flights have been cancelled from Hyderabad airport. Recently, people stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi faced similar difficulties. Currently, all the tourists stranded in Bahrain are said to be safe in hotels, but their return seems unlikely until the situation returns to normal. Their families in India are constantly worried and call daily to inquire about their well-being. Now, they all have only one demand: they be brought back to India safely as soon as possible.
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