Hyderabad Doctor’s Kuwait Trip Turns Into 1400-km Escape Ordeal
HYDERABAD: An international trip turned into a distressing ordeal for Hyderabad-based eye specialist Dr Umesh Bhammarkar, who got stranded in Kuwait amid sudden unrest and later travelled 1,460 km by road to Saudi Arabia before returning to India, as reported by TOI.
Trip Disrupted by Sudden Unrest
Dr Bhammarkar reached Kuwait City on February 28 and planned to return on March 1. However, within an hour of leaving the airport, attacks broke out across the city and disrupted normal life.
What began as a short visit quickly turned into an uncertain and prolonged stay as the situation worsened.
Flights Cancelled, Airport Closed
The doctor tried to return by booking two flights, both of which initially showed as operational. But when he reached the airport, authorities had already shut it down, leaving him stranded with no immediate options.
He stayed in the city for a few days before finding an alternative route out.
26-Hour Desert Journey to Saudi Arabia
With limited choices, Dr Bhammarkar secured a seat on a tourist bus heading to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
He travelled nearly 1,460 km over 26 hours across the desert along with a few other passengers. The journey left him physically exhausted and mentally stressed.
‘Crossing No Man’s Land Was the Scariest’
Recalling the experience, he said, “When I reached Kuwait City, I did not know about the situation. I stayed out in the city until evening before my wife called to check on me. I then returned to my hotel and prepared to leave the next day.”
He described crossing the no man’s land between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as the most frightening part of the journey.
With help from friends, he moved to a safer location before boarding the bus to Jeddah.
Safe Return to India
From Jeddah, he booked a flight to Mumbai and returned to India on March 7, 2026, bringing an end to what he described as an unforgettable and harrowing experience.
