Hundreds of Finns stranded in a small state, where debris is falling from the sky - a strong message from the ambassador
At least 300 Finns are stranded in Qatar due to ongoing missile and drone strikes by Iran targeting military and civilian locations.
Approximately 300 Finnish citizens find themselves stranded in Qatar amidst escalating tensions as Iran launches missile and drone strikes against the country. Finnish Ambassador Juha Mustonen reports that these attacks began with military targets, particularly focusing on a U.S. base, but have since escalated to include civilian areas, such as international airports. Such an alarming shift has raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in the region.
The situation has become increasingly dire, with residents in Qatar experiencing sleepless nights due to the sound of explosions from the ongoing assaults. Ambassador Mustonen expressed that the targeting of civilian infrastructure, especially an airport where many foreigners, including Finns, were awaiting evacuation, is particularly troubling. As a precaution, stranded Finnish citizens have been relocated to safer accommodations in hotels.
While there have been reports of injuries with at least 16 individuals affected by the strikes, none of them are Finnish nationals. The ambassador's message emphasizes the need for vigilance and preparedness, as the strikes may impact Qatar's energy infrastructure as well, further complicating the chaotic environment for expatriates and foreign visitors.