Indian Nationals Evacuated from Syria Describe Panic and Support from Embassy

A group of Indian nationals returned to India on Saturday after being evacuated from Syria, where they faced a tense situation. They praised the Indian Embassy for maintaining constant communication. Upon arriving at Delhi airport, some shared their experiences from the past week with the media.

The Syrian government fell on Sunday as rebels took control of Damascus and other key areas. Following these events, India evacuated its citizens who wished to leave. "We have evacuated all Indian nationals in Syria who wished to return home following recent developments in that country. So far, 77 Indian nationals from Syria have been evacuated," stated Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a briefing.

Evacuation Efforts and Experiences

Sunil Dutt, from Chandigarh, described the chaos in Syria, mentioning anti-social elements looting amidst fires and bombings. He appreciated the embassy's guidance to remain calm and secure. "The Indian Embassy was in constant touch with us and its personnel asked us to be calm, not open doors to ensure safety," Dutt said at the airport.

Sachit Kapoor, a resident of Greater Noida, recounted his seven-month stay in Syria. The situation deteriorated on December 7, leading to panic as fires and bombings erupted around them. "We were a team of 11 at a luxury hotel. Situation got worsened. People were running amok in the streets, some looting also," he explained.

The Indian Embassy staff in Damascus escorted evacuees to the border, where they were received by the mission in Lebanon for immigration processing. Kapoor noted that their transition to Lebanon was smooth, with good lodging and food facilities provided.

Returnees' Reflections

Ratan Lal, who had been in Syria for five years, shared his experience of being called to Damascus when conditions worsened. He was lodged at a hotel before receiving a visa for his onward journey. "The situation was very bad," Lal said, adding that his family urged him to return home.

Chetan Lal from Gurgaon worked in Syria for ten years at a glass bottle-making company. He mentioned staying in Damascus for three days before returning home with assistance from both Lebanese and Syrian embassies.

The Indian Embassy continues its operations in Syria despite the turmoil. On Monday, India advocated for a peaceful Syrian-led political process to restore stability in the region.

The returnees expressed gratitude towards the Ministry of External Affairs for facilitating their safe return amidst challenging circumstances.