Hundreds of Umrah pilgrims were left stranded in Saudi Arabia after Yemen's Houthis struck the kingdom's airports and oil fields. About 3,000 of them returned to India on available flights over the past week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. More than 10,000 others flew back on their booked flights in the same period.
Those still waiting
The MEA said arrangements are being discussed to bring back the remaining pilgrims quickly. The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are working with airlines and tour operators and have set up round-the-clock control rooms. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier said about 4,000 pilgrims were stuck in Makkah and Madinah and urged special flights.
Pilgrims from Hyderabad and Kadapa
Kareem, a Hyderabad-based travel coordinator, said his agency sent three pilgrims, one from Hyderabad and two from Kadapa. He said they are in a safe house in Jeddah, their needs are being met, and they will be flown back once flights resume. Tickets from Dammam could not be arranged because that airport was also hit. A Telangana Haj Committee official said the committee is not involved, since private tour operators run Umrah trips.
Helplines
- Embassy of India, Riyadh: +966-554412016, +966-542126784; toll-free 8002471234 (within Saudi Arabia only); WhatsApp +966-536216082 (messages only)
- Consulate General of India, Jeddah: +966-12-2614093, +966-556122301; WhatsApp +966-536209704 (messages only)
