MALAYSIAN students are not the only ones stranded in quake-hit west Sumatra. Consul-General of Malaysia in Medan, Fauzi Omar, said yesterday there were also several Malaysian tourists trapped in the province.

“I believe the tourists could be AirAsia and Firefly passengers. Many flights have been suspended due to the airport’s inaccessibility on Wednesday. The tourists were pretty much stuck there as well,” he told Malay Mail.

However, Fauzi said he has yet to ascertain the actual number of tourists currently stranded in Padang as he still hasn’t had the chance to go to the ground, due to his flight delay yesterday.

He was informed that some of the tourists were stranded at the airport while the rest remained in their hotels.

On the welfare of Malaysian students, Fauzi said at present, there were only 290 students who were willing to return home.

He said the 330 Malaysian students reported to be stranded yesterday were from Andalas University, which collapsed during Wednesday’s 7.6-magnitude earthquake.

“There are more students here from other universities who aren’t willing to leave just yet due to their studies.”

Late last night, three military transport aircraft took off for Sumatra to bring back the Malaysian students studying in Padang.