A bunch of Queen’s University students is stranded at an airport in Doha, Qatar, after escalating hostilities within the Middle East prompted regional airspace closures and widespread flight disruptions.
Claire Haffner, a fourth-year undergraduate biology student, said the group had boarded a flight to Toronto following a field course in Sri Lanka, with a stopover in Doha, after they heard an announcement.
After being within the air for an hour and a half, “there was an announcement that the airspace was closed and we needed to turn back,” she said.
The disruptions follow major strikes by the USA and Israel on targets in Iran, sharply intensifying tensions within the region.
In return, Iran responded by launching missiles in Israel and nearby Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, which resulted in an instantaneous shutdown of airspaces across the region.
“There was an initial panic amongst me and my classmates,” Haffner said.
She said the Qatar Airways flight returned to Doha, where passengers were briefly kept on board before disembarking into what she described as a “chaotic scene” contained in the airport.
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“Everybody rushed off the plane in an enormous mob,” she said. “It was chaotic earlier — there have been crowds in every single place and features, and attempting to seek advice from staff. Everybody is coping with it in a different way, but we’re all overwhelmed.”
After several hours, the group was told they might not be flying out Saturday night.
Haffner said they were still waiting for word on when the airspace would reopen.
“There’s been a sense of uneasiness ever since,” she said. “There’s a sinking feeling in your gut, and you possibly can read the news, and you understand what’s happening outside … though you’re protected within the airport.”
She said some students quickly purchased electronic SIM cards to remain in contact with family back home.
Attempting to stay optimistic, Haffner told Global News, “We’re in a secure place, the airport appears like a secure space. I’m very lucky to be travelling with these classmates and my professor.”
Queen’s University said it’s in direct contact with faculty leaders travelling with the group.
“We recognize that this case could also be distressing for the scholars and their families, and their safety and well-being is our top priority,” the university said in a press release to Global News.
“Queen’s is in direct contact with the college leaders in Doha to supply support and assistance. We’ve got been advised that the group is secure and currently on the airport.”
The university said it partners with International SOS to supply emergency assistance for community members travelling on university-sanctioned activities and that the group has access to 24-hour multilingual support, including help with flight arrangements.
“We’ll remain in close contact with the college leaders and proceed to supply support as they await further information on next steps,” the statement said.
Global Affairs Canada has updated its travel advisories for Canadians travelling to and from Gulf nations, including Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, warning of “ongoing military activity” within the region.
Flights out and in of Canada to the region have faced cancellations and delays.
– With files from Darya Zargar
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