The Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that it has secured the safe return of 30 stranded Bahrainis, most of whom were in family groups with children, caught up in ‘an emergency situation’ abroad.
The ministry stated that their ordeal was due to the alleged failure of a local travel agency to fulfil its contractual obligations with a hotel in what it described as being located in a ‘friendly country’.
According to the ministry’s Consular Services Sector head Ebrahim Al Meslimani, a report of the incident was received and it immediately coordinated with the Bahrain Embassy in the unnamed location.
“Necessary measures were taken and the citizens were provided with an overnight facility until their return was secured the next day,” a spokesman added.
The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) revealed that the Tourism Regulatory Department had taken ‘legal measures against the violating travel agency’.
The agency has been shut down and its owner referred to the Public Prosecution for allegedly failing to meet its obligations, thereby causing harm to a number of citizens.
Holidaymakers are being urged to verify the credibility and reputation of travel agencies and to ensure they deal only with licenced and accredited companies in order to safeguard their rights and avoid similar situations.
n In case of any emergencies, they can contact the 24-hour Call and Follow-up Centre on 17227555.
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