Five Dutch tourists, who have been on an international road trip since the last 11 months with their dog, have been stuck in Mumbai. The group has been stranded in the city due to suspension of flights amid the national lockdown. A major concern for the group is they are running out of rations as shopkeepers are wary of European owing to the coronavirus scare.
Weagert Beugelink, a 42-year-old member of the group is a police officer from the Netherlands and has brought his dog along with him on the trip. Beugelink told The Times Of India that they have brought along food and grocery with them but it would only last for three-four days.The group of five consists of three women and two male travellers who are staying in an Airbnb property.
The group began their journey from Amsterdam in an SUV eleven months ago and have travelled to 21 countries, including Iran, Georgia, Croatia, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.
Beugelink stated that when the coronavirus outbreak started in India, they were in Gujarat and had played Holi as well. A few days ago they drove to Mumbai but their flight to Amsterdam on March 31 was suspended after the local lockdown was announced.
They booked a ticket for April 13 but that flight too got suspended after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a countrywide lockdown. Now, the group is in touch with the Dutch Embassy on the phone every day and will leave once the lockdown is lifted after April 14.
Other than foreigners, pilgrims and labourers are also stuck in various parts of Maharashtra. CM Uddhav Thackeray yesterday assured that they have reached out to the respective District Collectors to search for those stranded including pilgrims, labours and others.
The Chief Minister’s move comes amid multiple reports which narrate that people from the unorganised sector are suffering the most during the 21-days countrywide lockdown.
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