SALAR NEWS

Karnataka sets up helpline to assist stranded pilgrims in Saudi

Health and Waqf Minister UT Khader said around 600 people from Karnataka are stranded in Saudi cities including Mecca, Madina and Riyadh.

Salar News

The Karnataka government has set up a helpline for citizens and Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia (Facebook/UTKhaderOfficial)

Bengaluru, 23 October

The Karnataka government on Friday has set up a helpline number for citizens and Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia as attacks by the Houthi rebels from Yemen have severely disrupted air traffic over the Kingdom.

Health and Waqf Minister UT Khader said that around 600 people from Karnataka are stranded in various Saudi cities, including Mecca, Madina and Riyadh. He said that they can contact 9483503132 and 78997 07775, the helpline numbers of the Karnataka State Haj Committee for information and assistance.

Dozens of airlines, including Akasa Air, IndiGo, Flynas and Air India Express have suspended their flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Bengaluru and other parts of India.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has also written a letter to EAM S Jaishankar, urging the Ministry of External Affairs “to coordinate with Indian diplomatic missions and Saudi authorities, facilitate special flights, and ensure adequate food, accommodation and interim assistance for the affected pilgrims until their

return”.