Thiruvananthapuram: Eight Indians, including three from Kerala, are stranded at Karachi airport in Pakistan after their Air Arabia flight was diverted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Norka Roots said on Sunday. 

Norka Roots, the Kerala government agency handling affairs of Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs), confirmed that the stranded Keralites are Krishnadas, his wife Dr Reshmi Menon, and their three-year-old daughter Smrithi Menon from Palakkad.

Flight diverted amid Gulf airspace shutdown

The family was travelling from Baku in Azerbaijan to Kuwait via Sharjah when the Air Arabia flight was forced to land in Karachi (Pakistan) because of airspace closures caused by the regional conflict.

Officials noted that the other stranded Indians were also on the same flight. With operations to Gulf countries still disrupted, passengers remain at Karachi airport, awaiting alternative arrangements.

Government efforts to bring passengers home

Norka Roots said it is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs to bring the stranded Indians back to India. Officials indicated that travel via Colombo is being considered as a route for their return.

In addition, Norka Roots has established a helpdesk to support NRKs and their families affected by the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, providing information and assistance during this period of uncertainty.