Malaysians stranded in Dubai by Middle East airspace closures arrive safely at KLIA after six days, recounting harrowing missile alerts and explosions.

SEPANG: A group of Malaysians stranded in Dubai since February 28 due to Middle East conflict arrived home safely tonight.

They landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 aboard Emirates flight EK342 at 9:40 pm.

This is understood to be the first group to successfully return after being stuck for six days following regional airspace closures.

The closures were triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on February 28.

At least eight countries including Iran, Iraq, Jordan and the UAE shut their airspace when the conflict erupted.

Pirativ Rao, 30, said his holiday tour to Europe on February 17 ended with the group stranded in Dubai.

“Our flight was cancelled after news of the bombings in Iran spread,” he told Bernama.

He expressed gratitude to the UAE government and Emirates for providing stranded passengers with accommodation and food.

“The most distressing experience occurred when the emergency alert system issued a notification regarding potential missile attacks,” he said.

He recounted receiving an alert around 1:00 am advising them to stay away from windows and high areas.

“We panicked and were immediately taken down to the ground floor to take cover,” he added.

He stated that they also heard several explosions at night, believed to be from defense systems intercepting missiles.

“We couldn’t sleep all night because of the sound of explosions and the alerts we received,” he said.

“It was a terrifying experience as we had never been through a situation like this before.”

Meanwhile, Umrah guide Shaifuddin Hashim, 63, who was stranded in Jeddah, expressed relief after arriving home safely.

His original flight was scheduled to depart on March 1, but he was informed of the delay at Jeddah airport.

“Alhamdulillah, the accommodation was comfortable and food was provided,” he said.

According to him, the atmosphere in Jeddah at the time appeared normal without any signs of panic.

“Throughout the four days we were there, things proceeded as usual,” he added.

 The Sun Malaysia