Hundreds of Indians stranded in Saudi Arabia

Nearly 200 Indians awaiting deportation from Saudi Arabia are stranded in the country's capital Riyadh due to paucity of seats in flights as a result of the summer rush.

Frustrated over their inability to travel, a group of agitating Indians went on hunger strike last Saturday forcing officials from the Indian embassy to issue an assurance that they would be sent home as soon as flights are available.

Around 30 Indian detainees were scheduled to travel by a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight on Wednesday, while another 200 are waiting for their turn, the Arab News said.

The deportees include over-stayers, convicts released from jail, runaway maids and foreigners who were denied entry at King Khaled Airport after fingerprinting revealed that they were blacklisted.

Detainees are usually kept in camps until they are deported to their respective countries.