As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, the Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up efforts to evacuate nearly 200 people from the state who are stranded in the affected region.
According to sources, officials coordinating the rescue mission have prepared a list of about 200 Telugus who are ready to return home. 58 of them were stranded in Bahrain. The Indian embassy also maintains a wider consolidated list that includes people from other states awaiting evacuation.
Given the urgency of the situation, state officials urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider resuming airlift operations as soon as possible. They also sought to coordinate with the Saudi consulate to secure transit visas as Bahrain’s airports are currently considered unsafe for scheduled flights.
With Gulf Air operating special evacuation flights from Dammam to Larnaca, Cairo and New Delhi, AP officials have requested the civil aviation ministry to allocate seats for the stranded Telugus. While the authorities have acknowledged that the application is being considered, final confirmation is still awaited.
State officials also appealed for the earliest possible operation of a special flight from Dammam to Delhi to ensure the safe evacuation of families stranded in Bahrain.
Published – March 6, 2026 10:15 PM IST
