37 Turkish Cypriots Stranded in Dubai Due to War

A group of 37 Turkish Cypriots, who traveled to Dubai as part of a five-day tour, have been unable to return to Northern Cyprus due to the escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel and the closure of airspace.

Evşim Gagari Demirel, Director of Gem Tours, stated on KIBRIS TV that the group arrived on the 25th and was scheduled to return on the evening of March 1, but flights were cancelled.

"Military planes are constantly flying over us. We heard rocket explosions. On the first night, sirens sounded, and a rocket was intercepted in the sky ahead of us. It was very terrifying," Demirel said.

According to her, despite the sounds of explosions and air defense activity, there is no mass panic in Dubai itself. Shops, restaurants, and tourist sites remain open. The group is temporarily staying at the Studio One Hotel, located far from military facilities.

In the first few days, there were difficulties accessing food and medicine. Some tourists ran out of blood pressure and heart medications, but they managed to find equivalents in open pharmacies.

The Turkish Consul in Dubai personally visited the group and provided emergency contact details. TRNC representatives are in constant communication and require regular updates on the group's location.

Since the tour was designed for 5 days, many tourists had not planned for additional expenses. According to Demirel, the TRNC government has agreed to cover accommodation costs and one mandatory meal from the Ministry of Tourism budget.

Information claiming that all tourist expenses in the UAE are fully compensated by the state is incorrect — compensation applies only to Emirates airline passengers.

According to preliminary data, the group will not be able to return before March 7. Even after flights resume, there may be difficulties with tickets due to high demand.

Demirel emphasized that despite the tense situation, the group is safe, avoiding coastal areas and following the recommendations of local authorities.