DON'T TRY & GET OUT

Minister: 'No evacuation routes recommended Travel chaos as Gulf state flights are cancelled

- BY JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE

IRISH citizens in the Middle East have been urged to adopt a "shelter in place" strategy by the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Helen McEntee warned that there are currently "no evacuation routes recommended for Gulf countries".

Explosions have been heard in multiple Gulf states as Iran vowed to carry out its "most intense operation" ever in retaliation for the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86.

Ms McEntee said a "large number of Irish citizens" in the area are already on the Government's Citizen Registration platform.

The Minister said several hundred had registered on Saturday, adding: "I would encourage anyone in the region, either resident or transiting, to register.

"I am also aware of suggestions of consideration of land routes to neighbouring countries, such as Oman. However, I strongly urge citizens not to pursue anything other than a shelter in place strategy for now."

APPROACH

Ms McEntee said this was the "common approach" across EU member states.

She added: "This is a unique consular situation, with a large number of citizens located in United Arab Emirates in particular, and with local and regional airports shut and, in some cases, under attack.

"As of now, there are no evacuation routes recommended for Gulf countries and so the advice is to shelter in place.

"We are maintaining close touch with the airlines of those citizens who were in transit when the conflict began.