1,000 Dutch Citizens Seek Help as Gulf Airspace Shuts Down
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received around 1,000 calls from Dutch nationals in the Middle East following Israeli and US strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks. Citizens are seeking information on safety and options to leave the region.
A ministry spokesperson said both The Hague and its regional posts are closely monitoring developments in Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries. Dutch nationals are advised to stay indoors, avoid crowded areas, and follow instructions from local authorities. Emergency support is available through the Foreign Affairs crisis team.
Travelers stranded due to closed airspace in United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Dubai have limited options and must wait in hotels until flights resume, KLM reported. Rebooking through alternative routes via China, Turkey, or overland to Oman is being explored.
Dutch passengers with connecting flights in the Gulf are also affected across Asia. Dozens of KLM pilots and flight attendants are stranded as well, facing uncertainty while the airline works to assist them.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that repatriation or evacuation plans are not yet being considered. Operating under a crisis structure since yesterday, all scenarios are being reviewed, with priority given to the safety and support of Dutch citizens in the region.