Voice Of People, London Report: Due to the ongoing military tension in the Gulf region, more than one lakh (100,000) British citizens have been stranded abroad. The region’s airspace is still closed to most passenger flights. As a result, thousands of people are waiting at airports or in hotels.

The UK government has said it is considering all possible measures to bring citizens back home safely. These include commercial flights, specially hired planes (charter flights), military transport aircraft, and if necessary, plans to move people by bus across land borders to Saudi Arabia or Turkey.

The office of Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the situation has become risky due to Iran’s missile and drone attacks. Reports indicate strikes on military bases, airports, and hotel areas. This has created concern over the safety of ordinary people.

The Foreign Office has launched a 24-hour emergency support service. Additional staff have been recruited who are maintaining contact with airlines and the governments of the concerned countries. It is currently estimated that more than two lakh British citizens are in the Gulf region. About half of them have registered their presence with the Foreign Office.

Experts say it will not be easy to evacuate such a large number of people. In the past, during the Covid pandemic and after the collapse of major travel companies, the government brought back many citizens. However, the current situation involves military conflict, making the risks much higher.

At present, the government of the United Arab Emirates is covering hotel and meal costs for stranded passengers there. But it is not certain whether this support will continue if flights remain suspended for a long time.

The government has urged citizens to follow the advice of the Foreign Office and stay in safe shelter. The situation is changing rapidly, so new decisions may come at any time.