Bengaluru, March 3 (NationPress) A group of Indians, including numerous Kannadigas, who found themselves stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to flight cancellations caused by the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, have started their journeys back home, providing much-needed relief to families in Karnataka.

In response to the ongoing disruptions, the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has established a dedicated Help Desk at the kerbside of Terminal 2 to assist passengers.

A flight that took off from Dubai on Monday night successfully arrived at Kempegowda International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday. Among the returning passengers were Karnataka Legislative Council member S.L. Bhojegowda and badminton champion P.V. Sindhu.

Upon his return, Bhojegowda shared with the media that he had been returning from South Africa via Dubai when tensions escalated.

“I only became aware of the situation upon reaching Dubai. Initially, my flight faced delays, and later, it was cancelled. The influx of passengers at Dubai airport was overwhelming,” he remarked.

He noted that Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy reached out to him and arranged for hotel accommodations. “Our hotel was near the bombing areas. We were later moved to a safer location, but the anxiety about safety was ever-present,” he added.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also reached out to check on Bhojegowda's safety. Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and H.K. Patil contacted him as well. Bhojegowda recounted the harrowing moments when he heard explosions while on the phone with Byre Gowda. “At one point, three missiles landed nearby, and a bomb exploded close to Burj Khalifa, though thankfully it didn’t cause significant damage,” he mentioned.

He continued, “Even on the morning of our departure, bombs were falling. I witnessed three bombs drop, which forced a change in our route. The atmosphere felt war-like. I never expected to return so quickly.”

Another returnee, Gautham, shared his experience of fear during the attacks. Although he did not directly witness any explosions, he expressed concern that he had not received any assistance from the Indian Embassy during this crisis.

“Many of my friends are still stuck in Dubai. Flights are completely booked, and they have been there for five to six days,” he lamented. Nevertheless, he commended the strong security measures implemented by the UAE authorities in managing the situation.

Amid the turmoil, the Kannadigas Helpline, led by non-resident Kannadiga advocate Ronald Colaco, provided support to those stranded. The team collected information on affected individuals and urged the government for immediate assistance. They also expressed a willingness to cover emergency expenses and encouraged anyone needing medical help to contact the helpline. Kannadigas in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman were encouraged to reach out for aid.

Colaco affirmed that the UAE remains a safe nation and that normalcy is anticipated soon. He urged individuals to heed the UAE government's guidance and cooperate with local authorities. He also called on the Karnataka government to provide emergency relief aid to those impacted.

Authorities in both Karnataka and the UAE are reportedly in communication as they strive to ensure the safe return of stranded passengers.

Many Kannadigas who had traveled to Abu Dhabi and Dubai for various reasons found themselves caught in the escalating conflict. While several expressed relief upon their safe return, others are still stuck as flights remain fully booked.

In addition, the Help Desk at Kempegowda International Airport is actively managing passenger inquiries and offering on-ground support until airline representatives arrive. This initiative includes assistance with ground transport coordination, access to emergency services, and general inquiries.

The airport has also made provisions for basic amenities, including chairs, drinking water, snacks, medical help, sanitary products, and charging stations. A temporary feeding area has been arranged for stranded travelers. Wheelchairs are available upon request, according to airport officials.

These measures aim to ensure the comfort and safety of passengers during this period of disruption.