DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania: Emotional scenes unfolded at Julius Nyerere International Airport on Monday evening as 236 Tanzanians stranded in Dubai due to escalating tensions in the Middle East arrived home, many in tears of relief.
The passengers landed in Dar es Salaam aboard a special flight operated by Air Tanzania Company Limited after numerous commercial flights were cancelled amid deteriorating security conditions in the region.
Several travellers said the experience of witnessing explosions and heightened security alerts had been frightening, prompting them to reflect on the value of peace and stability in their home country.
“I had gone to Dubai for three days to celebrate my birthday, but those three days turned into about 12 or 13 days,” said passenger Miss Mwakatobe. “I was staying close to the airport, so the anxiety was even greater. We could see fires in the sky and fragments of missiles falling.”
She said remaining indoors most of the time helped reduce the risk of injury from falling debris during the attacks.
Other passengers described the atmosphere as tense and unpredictable as they followed developments while waiting for a chance to return home.
“The fear was very high because we could see areas being struck. You never knew when missiles might be launched or where they would land, whether at night while you are asleep or when you are outside,” one traveller said.
Another passenger said witnessing explosions firsthand was a disturbing experience.
“It was my first time seeing something like that. Usually, we watch such events in the media, but seeing explosions with my own eyes was frightening,” the passenger said.
According to ATCL Chief Operating Officer Captain Arif Jinah, the flight was organised as a special mission to assist Tanzanian citizens stranded after scheduled flights were cancelled.
“We sent a larger aircraft, which normally does not operate on the Dubai route because we usually deploy smaller planes,” Jinah said. “For this mission we received permission to use the bigger aircraft so that we could pick up everyone who was ready to return.”
He said the flight was not a standard commercial operation, although passengers paid a reduced fare so that most could afford the journey.
Given the urgency of the operation, the airline prioritised passenger capacity over cargo, leaving some freight behind to accommodate more travellers.
In a statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation said it is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in the Middle East and coordinating efforts to identify Tanzanian citizens who may need assistance returning home.
The ministry has provided an online registration link for citizens in the region to submit their details so authorities can determine their locations and organise possible evacuation arrangements.
Officials have also urged Tanzanians to avoid non-essential travel to or from the region for the time being and to follow instructions issued by local authorities.
Citizens currently in countries including Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman have been advised to remain indoors where possible, keep important documents such as passports secure and follow updates from Tanzanian embassies and relevant authorities.