Kolkata, 03 March (H.S.) : An engineer from Debra in West Midnapore district of West Bengal has been stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions in West Asia after his connecting flight to Uganda was cancelled. The traveller, Apurba Khara, is currently staying at a hotel arranged by authorities after disruptions in flight operations.

Khara had departed for Uganda on an official assignment and reached Dubai on a Flydubai flight on Saturday night. After landing early Sunday morning, he was scheduled to board a connecting flight to Uganda in the afternoon. However, shortly before departure, passengers were informed of delays, and by evening all flights were cancelled, leaving thousands stranded at the airport.

According to Khara, the seriousness of the situation became clear only after the cancellation announcement at around 6:50 p.m., when nearly 5,000 passengers were present at the airport, including a large number of Indians. Families were given priority for relocation, while other passengers were shifted to hotels located 30 to 40 kilometres away, where multiple people have been accommodated in each room.

Khara said he was initially frightened after witnessing missile activity in the skies over Dubai. However, local authorities have since put security arrangements in place and assured passengers of safe transit once flights resume. The Dubai administration has also assured stranded travellers that their accommodation and meals will be taken care of during the disruption.

Around 200 Indians are currently staying at the same hotel, including people from different parts of West Bengal. Many of them are maintaining regular contact with their families through video calls to ease concerns.

Family members of the stranded engineer said they felt reassured after speaking with him on Tuesday morning. While normal activities continue outside the hotel, they remain anxious and hope he will return home safely once the situation stabilises. Khara also reported that Indian food and staff are available at the hotel, reducing inconvenience as passengers wait for further travel arrangements.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh