{
  "id": 16174384,
  "title": "3,000 stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims fly back from Saudi Arabia; MEA sets up 24-hour helplines | Top updates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/3-000-stranded-indian-umrah-pilgrims-fly-back-from-saudi-arabia-mea",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-23T10:20:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/3000-stranded-indian-umrah-pilgrims-fly-back-from-saudi-arabia-mea-sets-up-24-hour-helplines-top-updates-11792750234776.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over the past week, approximately 3,000 stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims have returned to India, following coordination between Indian diplomatic missions, airlines, and tour operators, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Over 10,000 additional Umrah pilgrims, who had booked regular flights, have also traveled back to India during the same period. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are currently in communication with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of affected pilgrims as soon as possible. Both missions have established 24-hour emergency assistance facilities and are issuing regular advisories to support Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia.",
  "summary": "During the same period, more than 10,000 other Umrah pilgrims who had booked regular flights also travelled back to India. Authorities are now working to arrange the return of those who remain stranded.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Gulf markets fall as fresh Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia raise regional risk",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/gulf-markets-fall-as-fresh-houthi-strikes-on-saudi-arabia-raise",
        "published": "2026-10-22T13:54:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}