Hyderabad Ophthalmologist escapes Kuwait crisis after 1,460 km desert journey
Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-based ophthalmologist, Dr Umesh Bhammarkar, endured a terrifying experience after being stranded in Kuwait amid sudden unrest, eventually escaping after an arduous 1,460-km journey across the desert.
An avid traveller who has visited 22 countries, Dr Bhammarkar had not anticipated that his 23rd destination would turn into such a distressing episode.
He arrived in Kuwait City on February 28 and was scheduled to return the very next day. However, within an hour of leaving the airport, attacks broke out across the city, plunging the region into chaos and uncertainty. What was intended to be a brief visit quickly turned into a prolonged and alarming situation, reports The Times of India.
In an attempt to return home, Dr Bhammarkar booked two separate flights that appeared operational at the time. However, upon reaching the airport, he found it closed, leaving him stranded with no immediate way out. With limited options available, he remained stuck in the conflict-hit area until he managed to secure a seat on a tourist bus heading to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of his long escape through the desert.
According to the Daily, ultimately, he found a 1,460-km road stretch from Kuwait to Jeddah. The doctor stated that he has to take a 26-hour bus journey across the desert along with many other passengers. The whole journey was physically and emotionally exhausting. He described the experience as being similar to crossing no man's land, especially the time when they had to travel between two countries, as it was an extremely frightening moment of the trip.
After reaching Jeddah, he finally managed to get on a flight that was travelling to Mumbai, and she finally reached home on March 7, 2026, reports The Daily. While remembering the scarring incident, Dr Bhammarkar said, "When I arrived in Kuwait City, I was unaware of the situation. I was out in the city until evening, when my wife called to check on me. I then returned to my hotel and prepared to leave the next day." His friends helped him to reach a safe place, and then he boarded the tourist bus to Jeddah, making the experience an unforgettable journey for him.
