A total of 109 people from Karnataka are currently stranded in the conflict-hit West Asia, the office of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday. As per the statement, 100 people are stuck in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, while nine others are stranded in Bahrain.
Speaking to mediapersons, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the state government is making efforts to bring back those stranded in the Gulf region. He said many people have been asking whether special flights or other arrangements will be made to bring them back to Karnataka.
The minister added that families are also asking if rescue flights or special flights are being arranged for their return journey. “We have taken up this matter with the Central government and sought their intervention. The Central government has informed us that, as air traffic is currently not allowed there and has been suspended, no flights can operate at present. However, as soon as air traffic is cleared — once the current suspension is lifted and flights are permitted to operate — the Central Government will make arrangements for return travel, either through special flights or through regular airline services,” the minister said.
Gowda stated that 109 people stranded in the Gulf region have contacted the helpline and shared their details with the authorities. “Yesterday, after the Chief Minister issued instructions in the morning, we further stepped up our efforts. From our Principal Secretary of Disaster Management to the Commissioner level, and through our State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), we have been actively working since Saturday night,” he said.
The minister said the state government is in constant touch with the Government of India, especially the Ministry of External Affairs, to reach out to people from Karnataka stranded in the region. He also said flights heading towards Karnataka are currently unable to depart from there and are getting stuck midway due to the ongoing air traffic suspension.
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