Thousands of Swedes believed to be stranded in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates

"There may be Swedes who have visited these countries and there may be Swedes who are on their way home in transit, from Southeast Asia for example," says Svante Liljegren, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular unit, to the radio.

Liljegren said many people are calling the ministry's emergency hotline, but the ability to assist Swedes is limited because the airspace is closed.