’We left our effects and bank balance behind’

Kerala-based couple George and Jensy speak of chaos, living hell and their attempt to rebuild their lives having returned safely from Libya

'We left our effects and bank balance behind'

Kerala-based couple George and Jensy speak of chaos, living hell and their attempt to rebuild their lives having returned safely from Libya

As their plane touched the tarmac at Delhi's International Airport, the Georges wept tears of joy as they finally made it away from the unrest that had engulfed Libya.

Anthony George (33), his wife Jensy (31) and their two children Febin and Febia, who hail from Kerala spoke to MiD DAY hours after they landed in the capital and recalled the horror that had unfolded in the nation.
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"All we could hear were gunshots being fired and we would spend nights in darkness. We were scared to even open the windows. It was house arrest for eight days," said George.

The family, which had been residing in Tripoli for the last five years said that life was stable before February 15 when the situation worsened and people came out on the streets to protest against Muammar Gaddafi's despotic rule. "We became prisoners in our own homes as we had to lock ourselves inside for eight days," said George.

Amid the protests, the couple left behind all their belongings and their bank balance in order to flee the country. George, an employee with a British company and Jensy, a staff worker at a medical centre sold their car for Rs 35,000.

Soaring prices

According to George, a week before the protest started, the supermarkets were flooded with people, who anticipated trouble and were stacking up on rations. George also explained that the prices of recharge mobile cards had shot up almost four to five times, which made it difficult to call home.

George sympathised with the locals who were protesting and said that they were upset with Gaddafi and were simply demanding for his resignation and did not mean any harm to any of the expats.

Airport nightmares

Recounting his experience at the Indian Embassy, George said, "I had to wait for six hours to get four token numbers for my family."

At the airport, they were stranded for more than 24 hours without food and water. "The situation at the airport was fraught with despair.

We only had some fruits with us to sustain ourselves. It was only after we boarded the Air India flight for Delhi that we were given some food and water.

When the plane took off, my entire life in Libya flashed before my eyes. I earned everything there and in a very short time I also lost everything.

We have to rebuild everything from scratch but I am happy that my family is safe and sound."

3,000
Number of nationals India has evacuated till date

Violent Protests
Anti-government protesters repelled an attack by Gaddafi forces trying to recapture a key coastal oil facility yesterday, and rebel leaders called on foreign governments to launch airstrikes against non-Libyan mercenaries accused of fighting for the regime. At least six people were killed.