Six Indian citizens have lost their lives and one is still missing in separate incidents in the Gulf region amid the Middle East conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. The ministry also said the Indian embassy is coordinating with local authorities for assistance and repatriation.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Asim R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said Indian missions in several countries are working closely with the authorities to help trace the missing person and bring the deceased back to India.
Mahajan said, “Six Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives and one is missing in various incidents. Our Missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq and UAE are in regular touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian nationals and are making efforts to bring back the mortal remains of the deceased to India at the earliest.”
He further said that the travel situation from the Gulf region is gradually improving and a large number of passengers are already returning to India.
“The situation is continuously improving with the operation of additional flights from the region. Nearly 3 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region since February 28,” the MEA official said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and security considerations.
He further said, “From UAE, airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and security concerns. Today again, around 90 flights to India are expected to be operated from various airports in UAE.”
Flights to India from Oman and Saudi Arabia are continuing, while partial reopening of airspace in Qatar has allowed some commercial movement.
“With Qatar’s airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate 10 non-scheduled commercial flights to India today,” Mahajan said.
However, he also informed that the airspace of Kuwait and Bahrain is still closed.
“Kuwait’s airspace is closed. Kuwait Airways is expected to start special non-scheduled commercial flights to various destinations in India from Al Qaisuma-Hafar Al Batin Airport in Saudi Arabia, with the first flight to Kochi today,” he said.
To assist stranded passengers, Kuwait Airways will launch special non-scheduled commercial flights to India from Al Qaisuma International Airport, with the first flight leaving for Kochi on Friday.
“This will facilitate Indian citizens traveling from Kuwait to India,” Mahajan said.
He further said, “Bahrain’s airspace is still closed. Bahrain’s Gulf Air continues to operate special non-scheduled commercial flights to India from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia.”
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Gulf Air continues to operate special non-scheduled commercial flights to India from King Fahd International Airport to ease passenger movement amid airspace restrictions.