Many Bulgarians still remain stranded in the Middle East today due to the escalation of tension in the region and the closed airspace. Over 100 of our compatriots are stranded in Dubai, and in Tel Aviv, people live in the gaps between missile alerts and landings in bomb shelters, reported "Trafficnews".
For now, until March 2, the airport in Dubai remains closed. Among those stranded is Lyubomira Kodjabasheva. She said that her group of about 100 people is accommodated in a hotel and is waiting for information about the possible resumption of flights. Some of the tourists were supposed to fly out yesterday, but this did not happen. According to her, people are not sure when they will be able to go home and all they can do is wait and hope that the corridors will be opened.
Banker Violina Marinova, who is on vacation with her family, is also in Dubai. They tried to register in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs system, but initially without success. According to her, she had to seek assistance from the Foreign Minister in order to be able to log in. Marinova describes the situation as relatively calm, but with moments of tension. A neighboring building was hit near their hotel, a fire broke out on the lower floors, and three air raid sirens forced people to go down to a bomb shelter. Shortly after 3 a.m., they returned to their rooms. Thunder and rumbling can still be heard in the distance today.
The situation in Tel Aviv remains dynamic. Rina Bakalova, who lives there, says that she had to go down to a bomb shelter several times yesterday. According to her, massive rocket attacks began in the evening. The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted most of the rockets, but one managed to penetrate and cause serious damage. One person died and over 40 were injured.
Today the situation is calmer, but people use the short breaks between the alarms to go out and stock up on the most necessary things. “We all know how a war begins, but no one knows how and when it will end“, says Bakalova, expressing hope that the conflict will end and the region will find a path to stability.
Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister and current High Representative for Gaza Nikolay Mladenov also published a message on social networks, assuring relatives and friends that the instructions of the authorities in the United Arab Emirates are being strictly followed. According to him, the country's air defense is working effectively, but the situation remains serious and fragile. He advises Bulgarians in Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to follow official instructions and trust only verified information.
At this point, it remains unclear when air traffic will be fully restored and when the stranded Bulgarians will be able to return home. For dozens of families in our country, the anxiety continues.