Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 25: Amid the suspension of flight operations at major airports in Saudi Arabia due to Houthi rebel attacks, around 500 Haj pilgrims from Mangaluru have safely returned home, even as thousands of others remain stranded.

Zakir of the Dakshina Kannada Haj and Umrah Private Tour Organisers' Association stated that a majority of the pilgrims who had registered through the association and travelled from Mangaluru have reached back safely. While 500 have returned, around 100 pilgrims from their group are still stranded, for whom accommodation and other necessary arrangements have been made in Saudi Arabia.

Recounting a tense moment, sources said that around 40 pilgrims from Mangaluru had reached the Dammam airport on October 22 to board their return flight. However, everyone was suddenly evacuated from the waiting hall and moved to a different location, shortly after which an explosion was reportedly heard.

Most of the returnees managed to reach India via Qatar. They obtained Qatar visas, travelled by road from Saudi Arabia, and took flights to Calicut or Bengaluru before finally arriving in Mangaluru. However, skyrocketing flight fares from Qatar have emerged as a new challenge, prompting some stranded pilgrims to consider alternative routes via Oman.

Meanwhile, the distress of many other stranded pilgrims continues. The emergency operation centres established by the state Haj department received over 100 distress calls on Saturday alone. Most callers pleaded for help in arranging return flights, while several others expressed helplessness, stating they had run out of funds and were being pressured by agents for more money.