Kolkata: Engineer stuck in Iran, family pleads for help

KOLKATA: Parents of 31-year-old electrical engineer Sayantan Banerjee, currently stuck in Tehran along with 11 Indians working for the same company, has pleaded with the external affairs ministry to make arrangements to fly him and others back to India. Iran has been isolated from the rest of the world with all major airlines cancelling their flights to and from the country over the last one week.
Till Wednesday, Covid-19 has killed 92 people and infected 2,922 others in Iran, making it the fourth most infected nation after China, South Korea and Italy.
"The situation has turned morbid in the last one week. Before that, the authorities here were calm and there were no curbs. But in last seven days, the number of casualties have multiplied. All flights have been suspended and the airport has been closed down indefinitely. Even the bordering nations have closed their borders. There is practically no way out now," Banerjee, a resident of Kalighat, told TOI over a WhatsApp call. He has been works with an MNC headquartered in Dubai.
Back at his Kalighat home, Banerjee's sister Biswarupa and mother Sharmila said they were knocking all possible doors, looking for help. South Kolkata MP and local councillor Mala Roy visited their home on Wednesday and said she had reached out to the secretary of external affairs department to rescue Banerjee and others.
"His Visa is going to expire on March 9. We fear that if something is not done immediately, my brother can also fall sick and may not be in a position to return home. I am pleading to the authorities to make some arrangements," said Biswarupa, a doctor.