Mangalore, Aug 30: The ordeal of over a hundred Haj pilgrims from various parts of coastal Karnataka who were stranded in the city due to cancellation of their fligth, continued even after they were shifted to a hotel by the authorities of Air India Express on Saturday.
As many as eight relatives of Haj pilgrims were trapped in the lift at Hotel Poonja International for almost an hour because no one in the restaurant was authorized to get them out. Among the eight members there were three children.
Finally, firefighters reached the hotel and released all the eight members from the lift. “It's unbelievable that no one at the hotel was authorized to release us from the stranded lift sooner,” said one of the relatives who were stuck in the lift.
The incident occurred when they were going down after accompanying stranded Haj pilgrims from Mangalore International Airport to the hotel following the cancellation of the flight.
Abdul Shukoor Panemangalore, a relative of a Haj pilgrim, said that the Air India Express was least bothered about the passengers. “Even though the Air India Express authorities knew that today's flight was cancelled they failed to inform the pilgrims on time and made them to suffer,” he said.
He said that the airlines did not even arrange breakfast for the pilgrims. “Many among 130 pilgrims of fourth batch, who were supposed to fly today, are elders and they are suffering from illness. They had to suffer a lot due to the irresponsible attitude of Air India Express,” he said.
Many of the Haj pilgrims who were accommodated in the hotel expressed their dissatisfaction over the food, as there is alcohol supply in the hotel.
“We are Haj pilgrims. How can we stay in a hotel where there is no restriction for alcohol and haram meat? When they brought this issue to the notice of authorities, they ignored it” said one of the pilgrims.
Also Read: Haj pilgrims stranded in Mangalore as flight cancelled
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