IAF Evacuates 112 from Coronavirus-Hit Wuhan; Air India Repatriates Indian Crew from Cruise Ship

Special flights of the Indian Air Force and Air India arrived in Delhi on Thursday morning after evacuating Indians and foreigners from coronavirus-hit Wuhan and quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) relief aircraft evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. The C17 transport aircraft that left for China earlier with 15 tonnes of medical supplies from India to the virus-hit Wuhan landed in Delhi early Thursday morning.

“On its return from Wuhan, the IAF flight has brought back 76 Indians & 36 nationals from 7 countries – Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Appreciate facilitation by the Chinese government,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Globemaster landed at 6:45 am today from China with 112 evacuees, including 36 foreign nationals. All evacuees will be taken to the ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi after their thermal screening. #COVID2019 #CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/7RTMVbOW5u ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2020z

The External Affairs Minister had earlier described the consignment of relief material as a strong expression of India’s solidarity with the Chinese people in their “difficult time”.

Seventy-six Indian nationals returned home on the special IAF flight, which also had onboard 23 nationals from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and Maldives and one each from South Africa, USA and Madagascar. The six Chinese are stated to be the spouses and family members of the Indians.

All evacuees will now be taken to the ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi after their thermal screening.

Air India flight repatriates Indians from Japan cruise ship

An Air India flight on Thursday brought back to Delhi 119 Indians and five foreigners who were on board quarantined cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan. The foreigners, who were brought back to India on board the special Air India flight, included two from Sri Lanka and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru.

Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo,carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka,Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020

“Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined onboard the Diamond Princess due to COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you Air India once again,” Jaishankar tweeted. The Union minister said out of 138 Indians originally on board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for coronavirus. He said those tested positive are receiving necessary medical care and treatment at onshore medical facilities in Japan.

All the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at a medical facility set-up by the Indian Army in Manesar.

Three Indian crew members did not board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay on board the cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the government of Japan, a government statement said. They were among the 3,711 people on board the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3.

The ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the disease.

India had earlier operated two special Air India flights on February 1 and 2 and airlifted 647 Indian nationals, mostly students, and seven Maldivian nationals. Wednesday’s flight was cleared by China after allegations of delay by Indian officials.

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Source: IT

Image Courtesy: India Tribune

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