Indian expat falls asleep at Dubai airport, now stranded


Dubai, Mar 24 (IANS): A United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Indian expat was now stranded at the Dubai airport after he fell asleep while waiting for his flight back home, a media report said.

Arun Singh, 37, originally from Pune, who works at a bank here, had passed immigration and security and was due to board the 4 a.m. Emirates flight to Ahmedabad on March 22, when he fell asleep in the waiting area and missed the final boarding call by a few minutes, the Gulf News report said on Monday.

The UAE has since suspended flights and has also refused entry to residency visa holders as a preventive against the spread of the novel coronavirus which has infected 198 people and killed two others in the country.

Due to the restrictions, Singh isn't allowed to re-enter through arrivals to exit the airport.

"It was an honest mistake," Singh told Gulf News. "I just fell asleep as I'm so stressed. I'm getting a divorce so I was flying back to India to file it.

"Initially I was allowed back into the arrivals immigration hall but then they said entry was only for GCC( Gulf Cooperation Council) nationals. I explained to them that I had fallen asleep and that it was an accident.

"I've rung the Indian consulate but they don't have any information, in fact they are asking me for updates and information that I don't have.

"I can shower and the shops are open so I can buy food and I will need to buy some clothes because my luggage is not with me. Things are available, but they say after Wednesday everything will close in the airport, so I don't know what will happen then."

  

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Comment on this article

  • myna, mysuru

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Indian consulate should come to his rescue and help him out. A genuine case needing sympathetic and urgent attention.

    DisAgree Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Save my India, India.

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Airline should be held responsible for taking off, without tallying the number of passengers on board, with the number Boarding Passes issued.

    Am i right...???

    DisAgree [9] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed, Bangalore

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    No you are not right. Airline can't wait for a single passenger. It has to follow it's own protocol. Flight can't stay in the same location for a longer period as it will create problem to other flights as well causes delay to other passengers. It's the passengers fault, he has to be alert. He could have set Alarm in his mobile.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait / India.

    Wed, Mar 25 2020

    When was the last time you flew by air...???

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alex, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 27 2020

    It is passenger fault.
    If you see in the boarding card most airlines write, the departure gate closes 15 minutes before departure.
    No questions asked, no announcements are made and no reasons do validate if a passenger is absent.
    Not even there is refund or special consideration in these cases.
    I had myself had this situation, when the boarding gate only mentioned, "in Time". As I did not see "Now boarding" at any time, the plane just left without me.
    No refund was given. I had to buy a new ticket for that sector.
    May be only in Kuwait you might find announcements, but currently, none of major airports give such.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Report Abuse

  • Sahil, Mangaluru

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Credit card will help him to survive. Everything expensive in airport. He should not expect air craft will arrive to evacuate.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal, Sharjah

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Real meaning of "Screwed up from all sides".....I feel sorry for him...Who knows, his divorce file might be withdrawn ..Ooperwaala ka khel is different..

    DisAgree [4] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deshbhakt, Mangalore

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Strange that the boarding staff didn't realise that one passenger did not report to the gate and yet they departed. How are the airport authorities explaining this lapse ?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Deshbhakt mangalore;it is his own fault.He should be alert .Airline had made last call.when the flight doesnt leave the place ,they have to pay a heavy fine(without any reason).when the passenger is not responsible enough for his safety ,cant blame the aircraft.He should have atleast ask one of his co passengers to wake him up when to go.Aircraft too or any security could look around too.Now it is a big problem to all.Self to passenger.Now only Indian consulate could help him out of his position.sad .As old say,one who sleeps ,sleeps away his own marraige.same thing happend here.If any one Indian expatriate in Dubai too could help him if officials agree now.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • DMBangera, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Wed, Mar 25 2020

    After repeated announcements, if the passenger can't be traced, the airline unloads his baggage and takes off. That's it. If they take off with his baggage and leave him behind, ONLY THEN it is a lapse.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangaluru

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    due to social distancing, all couple will be temporarily divorced until conona menace disappears...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishu, Udupi

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Arun, see if both of you can rethink about your divorce case, once you reach India.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangaluru

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    He is young, just 37. Why should he spend his life on adjustments? If they have decided that they can not go forward with differences, it is best to get separated. They can find different partners or stay single and enjoy..as per individual wish!

    DisAgree [12] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishu, Udupi

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Shankaranna, I said "IF".

    I totally agree this is their mutual decision. I am no one to ask them to change their mind.
    They are young ok, but sometime I myself regrets for my comments that scribed when I was in a bad mood.

    Makta todna asaan hai sir, jodna mushkil hai.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    thank God he woke up from sleep.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Mangalore

    Tue, Mar 24 2020

    Messed up in all side

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse


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