Air India rescue flight not allowed to land in Yemen

The Air India aircraft which was flown to airlift stranded Indians in Yemen was unable to offer any rescue as it was not allowed to land at the Sana’a airport.

 Bengaluru-based businessman Ravi Kumar, who is among several Indian citizens waiting to return home from the conflict-ridden country, told Deccan Herald that several people had to return from the Sana’a airport, dejected after hearing the news.

“(I have) come to understand that the flight has gone back to Muscat in Oman,” Kumar said. He personally had not reached the airport as he was waiting for a call from the Embassy. He met around six Indians who returned from the airport, he added. “Yesterday, total 260 given their clearance to exit. And register for departure with Indian embassy,” Kumar said.

Kumar’s seven-year-old son is eagerly awaiting his father’s return. “He remembers us telling him that his father will return on March 27. He has been asking when Kumar will return. He is counting down the number of hours, eager to see his father,” said Shiva Kumar, Ravi Kumar's brother.

The brothers work at Trinity NDT Engineers in Peenya. Ravi Kumar had been to Yemen to give skill development training. He was set to return within a fortnight. “It is not just my brother. There are so many of our people stranded there. Not a single government official has attempted to allay our fears. There is no safety in the place where my brother is staying. Last night too, there was bombing there,” Kumar said.

Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee said they were in touch with the external affairs ministry and were getting updates. “We are in touch with the external affairs ministry. Nobody will be harmed. They will come back safe,” he assured.