At least 50 Indians are among 200 pilgrims stranded at Kathmandu airport in Nepal since Tuesday afternoon, after violent protests erupted across the country. The unrest began after the Nepal government banned 26 social media platforms, sparking mass Gen-Z-led demonstrations that spiralled into widespread violence and disruption.
“We feel that in Nepal’s current situation, Kathmandu airport is the safest place for us,” said Priyank Bhatt, a Mumbai resident stuck with about 200 passengers at the airport. Speaking to mid-day from Nepal, Bhatt said, “The airport security advised us to leave the premises, but given the current situation, we have decided not to step out.” Bhatt and his wife, residents of Juhu, Mumbai, had just completed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra along with about 200 pilgrims.
Passengers stranded at Kathmandu airport in Nepal. Pic/By Special Arrangement
They reached Kathmandu airport under extremely difficult circumstances, hoping to return to India. However, with all flights cancelled, around 50 passengers from Mumbai and Ahmedabad, along with 150 others from different nationalities, have been left stranded.
Recounting the ordeal, Bhatt said, “About 50 of us from Mumbai and Ahmedabad had completed the Kailash Mansarovar Parikrama and were heading back to India. We left our hotels to reach the airport. The violence had escalated, but somehow we managed to get here.”
