After 3 Days, 217 Passengers Stranded In Dubai Return To Chennai

CHENNAI: A total of 217 passengers, waiting for the last three days in Dubai due to the war in the Middle East region, returned to Chennai on Tuesday and recounted how they stayed with fear amidst the noise of flying aeroplanes and explosion of bombs, though they were safe in hotels near the airport.

From Saturday, air services from the Gulf region, including Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait and Muscat, were suspended following the war in the region. The passengers who returned after three days were welcomed with tears and embraces by their anxious relatives.

Vaiyanthi from Poonamallee, who went to Dubai to visit her working husband, said: “We were safe in Dubai. But, I wanted to return to Chennai for the last three days. My husband, who is in Dubai, too, will return to Chennai next week. We heard loud noises of planes flying above the houses and were not able to sleep due to fear.” She further said power was cut off and people are living in darkness and tension.

Karthick, who went to Dubai for a tour with his family said the planes were cancelled when they reached the Dubai airport on Saturday. They stayed in a hotel near the airport and heard bombs exploding and planes flying over their building.

Another passenger, Devakumar, who reached Dubai from London in a transit plane, said thousands of people were waiting at the Dubai airport. But the government arranged a stay in the hotel and provided all facilities, including food. Indian government officials spoke to the officials in Dubai to ensure their safety, he said.

Murugan, among the passengers, said Dubai police and officials protected them with care. About 20,000 people were waiting at the airport and all of them were put up at various hotels. The blow of sirens created fear among the people making women and children cry in fear, he explained.