Over 150 pilgrims from Prayagraj stuck in Iran amid conflict, families await safe return

Syed Ghazanfar Abbas, a former railway TTE from Rani Mandi, had left for a pilgrimage to Iraq and Iran on May 25 with his son and daughter. The family was due to return to Delhi on June 13, but their flight was cancelled as hostilities between Iran and Israel intensified.

Dozens of pilgrims from Prayagraj, including elderly members and children, remain stranded in Iran amid rising tensions in the region, with families back home desperately appealing for their safe return. Over 150 people from the district are reportedly stuck, many running low on medicines and funds, HT reported.

Syed Ghazanfar Abbas, a former railway TTE from Rani Mandi, had left for a pilgrimage to Iraq and Iran on May 25 with his son and daughter. The family was due to return to Delhi on June 13, but their flight was cancelled as hostilities between Iran and Israel intensified. His brother, advocate Syed Zafar Abbas, told was quoted by HT as saying that communication was disrupted before they finally confirmed the family’s safety on June 15.

In a separate case, 20 members of a Dariyabad-based family from Prayagraj are stranded in Qom city after being moved from Tehran due to safety concerns. Sameer Naqvi, a software engineer whose mother, grandmother and other relatives are among the group, told TOI that most are elderly and struggling with limited supplies. "They have taken shelter in a basement and we are in constant touch with them since the strife began," he said.

Naqvi added that the language barrier has compounded their difficulties, as few locals speak Hindi or English. Sending money has also become nearly impossible due to the crisis. "We appeal to the Indian government to bring them back at the earliest," he said.

The stranded group is reportedly part of the larger contingent of over 150 individuals from Prayagraj and nearby areas currently stuck in Iran due to the ongoing conflict. Among them are students, families and professionals who had travelled for education, work, or religious purposes.

Indian authorities, including the embassy in Tehran and state officials, are actively assessing the situation and working to ensure the safety of those affected. While most have been confirmed safe so far, their families back home remain anxious, hoping for swift government intervention to facilitate their return.