Indonesian Umrah pilgrims stranded in Singapore as travel costs rise

Hundreds of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims were left in Singapore after their flight from Jeddah was diverted because volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced the closure of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Saudi Airlines flight SV816 carried about 450 passengers from several parts of Indonesia. Ahmad Munsit Abdulillah, director of Darul Falah Tour & Travel in Indramayu, said he was traveling with 18 pilgrims from the regency.

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I am bringing 18 pilgrims from Indramayu.

The flight departed on Saturday, September 5, at 5:40 p.m. local time and was due to land at Soekarno-Hatta at 7:30 a.m. the following day. About an hour before landing, passengers learned that the aircraft would instead land in Singapore.

Munsit said the airline arranged accommodation for the passengers. Their luggage, however, remained in the aircraft’s baggage hold, leaving many without spare clothes. "All my change of clothes was in the baggage. In my carry-on, I only had toiletries, a sarong, underwear and a jacket. Since I had no other clothes, I had to wash them overnight and dry them with the hotel hair dryer so I could wear them again the next day," he said.

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All my change of clothes was in the baggage. In my carry-on, I only had toiletries, a sarong, underwear and a jacket. Since I had no other clothes, I had to wash them overnight and dry them with the hotel hair dryer so I could wear them again the next day.