Mangaluru: 500 Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations, govt help sought

Mangaluru, Oct 16: Around 500 Umrah pilgrims who travelled from Mangaluru are stranded in Saudi Arabia after flight operations were suspended at major airports following attacks by Houthi rebels, stated the Dakshina Kannada Haj Umrah Private Tour Organisers' Association.

Addressing a press meet here on Thursday, association vice-president Usman Saadi Pattori appealed to the state and union governments to immediately intervene and facilitate their safe return to India.

He explained that the pilgrims, hailing from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasargod, and Chikkamagaluru districts, had departed for Makkah and Madinah from the Mangaluru International Airport after September 20. Although their initial 15-day hotel bookings have expired, they have been permitted to continue their stay. However, they remain in a state of uncertainty as they are unable to travel back home.