‘I have seen the missile’: Indian woman from first evacuation flight recounts tense days in Dubai | India News

New Delhi: An Indian national who returned to India in the first batch from Dubai after resumption of air travel described tense nights, emergency alarms and uncertainty disrupting travel across the Gulf due to conflict in the Middle East. Soumya Khandelwal, who traveled to Dubai for work, said she felt the missile alert and saw the wreckage at a time of heightened hostilities involving Iran, the US and Israel. “I saw the missile, and we saw this debris. And then we also saw this, we also got alarms in the middle of the night where the government was sending us, alarms telling us to go to shelters or hotel basements and stay there,” he said. “It was 12:13 a.m. and we got a huge alarm on our phone and we had to run to the basement.”

Khandelwal arrived in Dubai on Wednesday and was scheduled to return to India on Saturday, but his plans were disrupted when airspace restrictions were imposed amid rising tensions in the region. “I went on Wednesday and was supposed to return on Saturday. In the afternoon we came to know that the place is closed,” he said. Authorities asked passengers to stay indoors as the situation unfolded. “The authorities told us to stay in the hotel and not to roam the streets. We stayed in the hotel. The situation there was very scary. We were very tense.” Despite the uncertainty, he said both local authorities and residents have stepped up support for stranded travelers. “The government has been completely cooperative and the people there are very warm. Everyone around had full cooperation. They opened their homes to the people there.” The Indian Embassy in the UAE was also in touch with the citizens during the crisis. “We had calls, several calls that if you needed any help, if we needed anything, any kind of help, they were there to help,” he said. “I got about two, three calls from the Indian embassy.” The sound of sirens and missile warnings created an atmosphere of fear, he said. “I was very scared and I thought that I don’t think I can go out of the UAE for at least the next two, three weeks.” His family in India was also worried as the situation unfolded. “It was just a four-day trip for work and nobody imagined something like this happening in the UAE.” Even as tensions run high, Khandelwal said daily life in Dubai continues without panic. “The city was functioning normally on Monday. People were on the streets, going about their daily business. The grocery store was open.” “There was no panic, which was the best part. The cabs were running smoothly, the hotels were running smoothly.” He also said that hotels and airlines avoided raising prices during the crisis. “You’ll be glad to know there were no overcharges. We stayed at the same prices we’ve been at for the last four days.” “Emirates hasn’t raised a penny. I’m back at a very nominal price.” Residents and businesses have also stepped up to help stranded passengers, especially during the Ramadan period. “People were distributing food there because it’s Ramadan. They didn’t want to spoil the festivities of the place.” “Some companies have opened their homes for free. Those who want to come, can stay and live in peace until flights resume.” When flights finally resumed, Khandelwal managed to secure a seat on an Emirates flight and rushed to the airport. “The moment Emirates started, I was delayed another 15 minutes and I had to reach the airport by 6:30.” Passengers were anxious until the plane finally took off. “Our flight was stuck on the runway for about 45 minutes and I was waiting for God’s grace, this flight to go.” Once airborne, relief flowed through the cabin. “Everyone on the flight was screaming, calling for family as they landed. It was a very happy atmosphere. I almost burst into tears.” Khandelwal also dismissed reports suggesting a mass attack in central Dubai. “I was in the center of Dubai myself. I was in Business Bay, which is one of the most populated areas.” “There were no bombings in the vicinity. The bombings were mostly near the airport and around the coast.” Reflecting on the experience, she said that calmness and faith helped her navigate tense situations. “My key would be to please have faith in God because that’s what keeps me going.” He expressed confidence that the authorities would continue to help Indians in the Gulf. “The government is very, very cooperative. If you have a problem, you talk to the people around you and they’re all very cool.” “I am sure that our government’s relationship with the UAE government is excellent and they will bring back the stranded Indians.” Despite the ordeal, Khandelwal said he wants to return to the UAE once the situation stabilizes. “The moment it is sorted, I will go back to the UAE for work.”