This article discusses war, violence, and mental health impacts that may be distressing for some readers.
16 students and one faculty member are unable to leave Doha, Qatar, after an airspace shutdown disrupted their flight.
The students were returning from an overseas field course, and at the time of this publication, remain stranded in Doha after regional airspace closures disrupted flights in the wake of escalating hostilities involving Iran.
In an interview with The Journal, Stephen Lougheed, Queen’s professor of biology cross-appointed to environmental studies, and the lead instructor of the field course, said the group was already on its flight from Doha to Toronto when the situation escalated.
“We were maybe an hour and a half over, just entering Iranian airspace when one of my students noticed that the plane had started to turn around,” he said.
In a statement to The Toronto Star that was shared with The Journal, Queen’s said it has remained in direct contact with Lougheed, has updated students’ family members, and has reminded the group of academic accommodations and support services.
According to the statement, the group was on a biology field course in Sri Lanka, which departed on Feb. 15 and was originally scheduled to return to Canada on Feb. 28 with a connection through Doha.
After landing back in Qatar, Lougheed said passengers from several disrupted flights were kept in airport lounges for hours before hotel accommodations were arranged. The group eventually received hotel vouchers and temporary visas before being transported with hundreds of other passengers to a hotel early in the morning.
Despite the uncertainty, Lougheed said the students have remained calm and reasonable throughout the situation. “These are amazing young people who are looking after one another in a very difficult situation,” he said.
Giving credit to the University, he added that “it is a testament to the institution that it has attracted these amazing young people to come study at Queen’s.”
Queen’s also said it partners with International SOS, a global health and security services company, to provide out-of-country emergency assistance for community members travelling on university-sanctioned activities, including multilingual emergency support and help with flight arrangements, if needed.
Lougheed said the University has remained in regular contact with him since the group became stranded. “I’ve had regular emails and meetings,” he said, adding that the University has also been communicating with parents and with Global Affairs Canada. “I do feel supported. I think they’ve been doing a very good job.”
As travel conditions shift, Global Affairs Canada has urged Canadians in the region to stay alert to changing security conditions, check advisories frequently, and register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive alerts.
In a March 2 update, the department said the number of Canadian citizens and permanent residents registered as being in the Middle East increased to more than 97,000, up from 85,000 the day before. The update noted registration is voluntary and the figures are estimates.
The same update reported 2,921 registered Canadians in Iran and 8,374 registered Canadians in Qatar. Global Affairs Canada said it wasn’t aware of any Canadians injured or killed because of the hostilities at the time of the update but cautioned that consular services can be limited during active conflict, with priority given to essential services such as processing travel documents.
While the group is currently safe, Lougheed said the situation has been unsettling at times. He said the group has heard distant explosions and recently witnessed a missile interception overhead while in Doha.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” Lougheed said. “We’re really anxious to get out of here, but I only want to leave if it’s organized and safe.”
Lougheed said the experience also highlighted the contrast between the conflict unfolding around them and the generosity he has witnessed among stranded travellers. Speaking with people from several countries in the airport and hotel, he said moments of kindness have stood out to him.
“You see the ugliness of conflict and politics,” he said. “But you also see these bright spots of generosity and humanity.”
On campus, the Iranian Association of Queen’s University (IAQU) said it has been monitoring impacts on students with ties to the region, including learning of students in Iran through University contacts.
Co-president of IAQU, Aila Payroveolia, ArtSci ’27, said many students are concerned about family members and the lack of reliable communication during internet shutdowns in Iran.
Fellow co-president Sara Hosseinifard, ArtSci ’28, said the group has mostly been in contact with students on campus navigating stress and academic pressures while following developments abroad. She said limited information has contributed to anxiety for some members of the community.
READ MORE: Iranian Association warn campus is overlooking Iran crisis
Queen’s said the safety and well-being of the students and their families is the top priority.
Global Affairs Canada also said it has updated travel advice across the region due to military activity, including advising Canadians to avoid all travel to Iran and Qatar, among other countries. The department said to continue to remain alert to messages and follow local officials’ advice.
For now, Lougheed said the group is following guidance from Canadians and Qatari authorities to shelter in place while officials explore options to move stranded travellers out of the country. Possible plans could involve organized ground transportation to nearby countries where flights may still be operating.
Tags
Field trip, Qatar, Stranded flight
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