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South Korea Evacuates Citizens from UAE Amid Middle East Tensions

South Korea is arranging a chartered Etihad Airways flight to evacuate its citizens from the United Arab Emirates, prioritizing vulnerable groups. The move aims to repatriate approximately 3,000 nationals stranded due to flight disruptions from regional tensions. South Korean diplomatic missions are simultaneously assisting evacuations from other Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait to safer locations. This follows the recent return of over 370 South Koreans on the first direct commercial flight from Dubai since the conflict escalated.

Key Points: South Korea Evacuates Citizens from UAE on Chartered Flight

  • Chartered Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi
  • Priority for ill, elderly & infants
  • 3,000+ nationals stranded in UAE
  • Evacuations ongoing across Middle East
3 min read

Chartered plane to bring home South Koreans from UAE on Sunday

South Korea sends chartered plane to evacuate citizens from the UAE amid Middle East tensions. Priority given to vulnerable groups.

"The planned departure comes as Seoul seeks to bring home some 3,000 nationals stranded in the UAE - Yonhap report"

Seoul, March 7

A chartered plane to evacuate South Koreans from the United Arab Emirates will take off this weekend amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said Saturday.

The ministry said it is arranging a 290-seat Etihad Airways chartered flight, set to depart from Abu Dhabi at noon on Sunday (local time).

Starting early Saturday, the South Korean Embassy in the UAE will receive applications from South Korean nationals wishing to board the plane, with priority given to critically ill patients, people with severe disabilities, pregnant women, the elderly and infants.

The planned departure comes as Seoul seeks to bring home some 3,000 nationals stranded in the UAE due to flight disruptions amid the escalating conflict between Iran and the United States.

Earlier in the day, South Korean nationals stranded across the Middle East in the wake of a regional crisis are continuing to evacuate to safer areas with assistance from local diplomatic missions.

According to the ministry, 65 South Koreans who had been staying in Qatar safely moved to neighboring Saudi Arabia from Tuesday to Friday.

In Jordan, where commercial flights remain in operation, 41 South Korean short-term visitors departed the country from Thursday to Friday. The South Korean Embassy in Jordan dispatched a support team to an airport in Amman to assist with departure procedures.

In Kuwait, 14 South Korean nationals and one foreign spouse also traveled to Saudi Arabia with the support of the embassy.

The ministry said it has also supported South Koreans in other parts of the region, helping 25 people in Iran, 113 in Israel, 14 in Bahrain and five in Iraq move to neighboring countries so they can return home, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier, on March 6, more than 370 South Koreans returned home aboard the first direct flight from Dubai since last week's US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

The Emirates flight arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, around 8:25 p.m., carrying 422 passengers, including 372 South Koreans, the officials had said.

It was the first direct commercial flight to head for Incheon from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Dubai since the war on Iran began last weekend.

The government earlier said it had consulted with the UAE government to enable the safe return of South Koreans from the Middle East on direct flights.

Around 18,000 South Koreans are currently believed to be in 14 Middle Eastern nations, including 4,900 short-term travelers, of whom 3,500 are stranded due to canceled flights, according to the government.

Returning travelers embraced with family members at the airport, with some wiping tears of relief following days of uncertainty.

Others also told similar stories of hearing loud bangs from drone interceptions and bombing.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The Middle East situation is getting really tense. So many Indians work in the UAE and Gulf countries. I hope our embassies there have solid contingency plans ready if things escalate further. Safety first! 🙏
D
David E
A well-organized evacuation. The coordination between Seoul and the UAE government is impressive. It shows the importance of strong diplomatic relations, especially in volatile regions.
A
Ananya R
Can't imagine the relief of those families at the airport. Hearing about drone interceptions is terrifying. This is a reminder for all of us traveling or having family abroad to always register with our embassies.
S
Siddharth J
While South Korea's effort is good, I do wonder about the cost and who bears it. Are the evacuees paying for these chartered flights, or is the government? Clarity on such logistics is important for transparency.
K
Kavya N
The scale is huge—18,000 South Koreans across 14 nations. It puts into perspective how many expatriate communities live in the Gulf. Hope for peace and stability in the region soon, for everyone's sake.

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