A British family say they have been left stranded thousands of miles from home after the escalating conflict in the Middle East brought their journey to a halt. Vikesh and his family have been stuck in Kuwait for days after their return trip from India to the UK unravelled mid-transit, leaving them feeling abandoned and isolated.
The disruption came as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its sixth day, causing widespread flight cancellations and leaving thousands of travellers scrambling to get home. Around 138,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region as the crisis continues.
Vikesh described the ordeal as 'horrendous', explaining that he, his wife and two children were pulled off a plane minutes before take-off in Mumbai during a 45-minute layover. They were then held in the airport for seven to eight hours without food or water, before being told they needed visas to enter Kuwait. After a chaotic process, they were taken to the Holiday Inn in Salmiya, where they have remained.
The family said they received no help from the British Embassy initially, while other countries assisted their citizens. 'We've had no help from the British Embassy or UK Embassy,' Vikesh told Sky News. It was only after friends and relatives raised awareness on social media that officials began liaising with Kuwait Airways and Saudi carriers to find a way home.
Meanwhile, the first Government-chartered rescue flight from Oman failed to depart on Wednesday night due to a technical issue. Two further flights have been arranged, with British Airways also operating additional services from Muscat to London Heathrow. Qatar Airways has announced limited relief flights to several European cities, including London, as the family pleads to be brought back safely.
