New Delhi: A loud blast minutes before boarding triggered panic at Dubai International Airport on Monday, forcing authorities to halt a Delhi-bound flight carrying Indian students and pilgrims evacuated from war-torn Iran. The flight finally landed in Delhi after a delay of more than 12 hours.Earlier, at Dubai airport, passengers waiting near the gate were rushed back inside the terminal as fears of another attack spread.“They told us nothing had happened. But when we checked online, we saw reports of a drone attack nearby,” said Labeeb Qadiri, a final-year MBBS student at Urmia University in Iran who was among those stranded at the airport.Authorities suspended operations at Dubai International Airport after a drone strike hit a fuel storage tank near the airport, sparking a fire that was later contained by civil defence teams. The incident forced airlines to delay or divert several flights as a precaution.Nearly 80 Indian students and pilgrims — most of them from Kashmir — remained stuck at Dubai airport for several hours after the incident disrupted flight operations. The students had travelled from Armenia to Dubai as part of the second batch of Indians leaving Iran amid the ongoing conflict.The Flydubai flight FZ441 was originally scheduled to land at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 9.55am Monday. After hours of uncertainty, it finally departed late afternoon and landed in Delhi just after 10pm.Students said airport authorities were first clearing flights that had been delayed earlier, to places like Riyadh and Kabul. “They told us ours may go later, so there was no clarity for hours,” Qadri said.For many students, the delay came after an already long and exhausting escape from Iran. Several travelled 9-19 hours by bus to reach the Armenia border, after waiting days for visas. With transport scarce, students said they had to arrange buses and hotel stays themselves before flying out.Not everyone could afford the sudden journey. Those who could, pooled money to help others make the trip. “Some didn’t have the money at that moment. So, everyone contributed. We couldn’t leave our friends behind to die,” Qadiri said.The prolonged delay in Dubai also disrupted onward travel plans for many. Several students were scheduled to take connecting flights from Delhi to Srinagar, which were missed due to the late arrival.Landing late at night also meant additional expenses for many students. “We may have to look for a hotel tonight or wait at the airport till morning for another flight. After everything we’ve been through, it’s just another uncertainty,” one student said.The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association urged authorities to arrange transport — preferably buses — from Delhi to Kashmir, saying the students had already endured a long and stressful journey from a conflict zone.By the time the flight landed in Delhi late Monday night, many students were visibly exhausted but relieved to have reached India safely. Outside the arrivals gate, the scene was one of emotional reunions. As an MBBS student stepped out, her mother broke down in tears and hugged her tightly, welcoming her with flowers.“We reached Dubai on Sunday morning and were stuck there till Monday. We even heard explosions three times. It was very hard for us… we paid for everything ourselves,” the student said, requesting anonymity.Among those waiting anxiously was Reema, mother of Adhfer Khan, a fourth-year MBBS student, who said the repeated disruptions caused by regional conflicts were taking a toll. “Bar bar wars ki wajah se bachchon ko wapas aana padta hai. Bahut mental stress hota hai. Ab jab tak cheezein theek nahi hoti, main use wapas nahi bhejungi (These children keep needing to return due to the wars. It causes a lot of mental stress. I will not send my child back till things settle),” she said.For the students, however, the immediate concern remained simple. “Bas, ghar pahunchna hai,” one of them said quietly after landing.
