Second Batch Of Indians Evacuated From Iran Returns Home: 'Felt Next Bomb Would Hit Our Hotel'

New Delhi: The second flight that was carrying a group of Indian students stranded in war-hit Iran landed in New Delhi late on Monday. The flight flew from Armenia capital Yerevan to New Delhi after a layover in Dubai. 

How did the evacuation happen?

Due to a temporary suspension of flight operations by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the flight with dozens of stranded Indians on board was delayed by nearly 12 hours after completing its first leg between Yerevan and Dubai.

The group of Indian students first travelled by bus from universities across Iran to the Iran–Armenia border, then crossed into Armenia, and later flew from Yerevan to Dubai before boarding a connecting flight to Delhi.

Following the war that began on February 28, the Iranian airspace remains closed .

When did the first evacuation happen?

Nearly 80 Indian students and pilgrims, most of them from Kashmir, stranded in Iran landed  at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi  on Sunday morning as part of the first evacuation flight bringing stranded nationals back home.

Was the first evacuation halted?

After living for two weeks under the shadow of airstrikes in war-hit Iran, the first batch of around 80 Indian nationals landed in New Delhi after being stuck at Dubai airport for several hours after the drone strike disrupted flight operations.

Evacuation operation was halted after a drone strike hit a fuel tank near the Dubai International Airport. The incident resulted in delay and diversion of several flights.

What did the stranded passengers say?

Labeeb Qadri, who arrived at the Indira Gandhi International airport along with dozens of other students, said that "Till the time I don’t see my family in Kashmir, I won’t feel like I have returned home."

"When we were in Iran there was constant bombing, then once we crossed the border we thought we are safe. Just when we were on the last leg of our journey in Dubai, multiple drone attack happened at the airport. We were stranded first in Iran then in Dubai. So, I am still unable to process that we have reached India. We were in complete lockdown and constantly lived in the fear that the next bomb could be dropped on our hostel," Qadri added.

Another student said, "It was just horrible. The Indian Embassy shifted us from Tehran to a hotel in a comparatively safer place. We stayed there in the hotel for 3-4 days, but then the war started becoming more aggressive."

What did the officials say?

In a post on X, the DCAA on Monday had said that, "DCAA announces temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure safety of all passengers and staff."