Three Aucklanders in their 70s and 80s have become stranded in Qatar after a layover flight amid escalating hostilities in the region.
Multiple airlines have cancelled flights to and from the region, with many countries closing their airspace since the beginning of the conflict on Saturday (NZ time).
Anna Jones told Newstalk ZB her aunt, uncle and mother flew on the “trip of a lifetime” from Auckland to Oslo via Doha.
“They stopped for 10 hours and inadvertently got stuck there,” she said.
“They are 78, 79, and 83 years old, stuck in Doha with missiles exploding above their heads and are absolutely terrified of what to do and where to go and what their next steps are.”
Jones said she registered the trio with SafeTravel, however, there has been no contact from the Government.
“I have rung SafeTravel twice. They have been lovely, but the advice has been of no use,” she told Newstalk ZB.
“Stay inside or if it’s safe, try and get out. So, a team of [70 and] 80-year-olds with no luggage, no knowledge of the area, and no knowledge of what’s going on, have ended up stuck there.”
Jones said her family members’ emotions have ranged from calm to terrified.
“They have ventured out once and managed to get to a supermarket and get some food.
“They are in a situation where everything is at their cost, their insurance doesn’t follow through because it’s a war.”
She said the trio had no luggage, so they were still wearing the same clothes.
Jones said her mother, uncle and auntie haven’t received any communication from the New Zealand Government.
“Not an email, not a message, not an acknowledgement that they are New Zealanders,” she said.
“It’s not good enough. They’re of that older generation, even getting confirmation from the New Zealand Government that they know they’re there would be meaningful for them.”
Jones is researching whether the trio could cross the border into Saudi Arabia and fly out from Riyadh.
“We haven’t managed to get the visas and it looks like that border may be closed now.”
She said the experience has been distressing.
“They’re go-getters, but they’re not up for intrepid travel like this.
“I have been sitting here with my sister and my cousin, and our thoughts have been ‘get out’, but they don’t have any luggage, they don’t know how to get there, they don’t know what to do.
“Trying to put things in place for them from this distance away is very difficult.”
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MAFT) spokesperson told Newstalk ZB the advice for New Zealanders in the region was to leave if it was safe to do so.
“We understand the stress and worry many will be experiencing, especially those New Zealand families who are worried about their loved ones overseas,” they said.
“New Zealanders who are in locations where airspace is closed or the security situation means it is unsafe to move, should shelter in place and follow the advice of the local authorities.”
The spokesperson said MFAT was exploring all options to support New Zealanders in the region and was in close contact with other governments on their plans.
“The reality is that airspace remains closed across large parts of the Middle East. This is preventing planes from arriving into the region. The quickest way for New Zealanders to return home will be commercial flights once they resume.
“We advise New Zealanders to keep in contact with their airlines, travel agents and insurers so that they can use commercial travel as soon as it is safe and possible to do so. We urge all New Zealanders in the region to register with SafeTravel.”
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