As many as 358 Indians who were stuck in Yemen landed at Mumbai and Kochi airports early on Thursday morning. However, over 3,000 are still trapped in the strife-torn country and are hoping to return safely as soon as possible.
As many as 358 Indians who were stuck in Yemen landed at Mumbai and Kochi airports early on Thursday morning. However, over 3,000 are still trapped in the strife-torn country and are hoping to return safely as soon as possible.
"Around 40 Indians are still in Djibouti, making arrangements independently to reach their respective destinations; they did not opt to reach India by Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft," said a naval officer.
"Passenger liners Kavaratti and Coral will bring another set of Indians. However the date, time and port are yet to be finalised. A lot of coordination is being done to get in touch with each and every Indian stranded in Yemen and also to check till which city they can reach on they own," said an officer.
Indian Naval Ships Mumbai and Tarkash will join escort passenger liners in bringing Indians to safety.
On Thursday, C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the IAF flew 190 people to Mumbai, while the rest 168 reached Kochi for their onward journey. The flight landed at Mumbai airport at 3.30am, instead of the earlier plan of landing around 9pm on Wednesday. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and Prakash Mehta were present to receive the passengers at the airport, apart from several other bureaucrats, including Central Railway (CR) general manager Sunil Kumar Sood.
A relative of Renchu CK, an Alleppey resident who worked in a hospital in Yemen and one of those who reached home on Thursday, said, "It was a very tough time for all of us in the family until Renchu reached India."
"There were issues related to travel documents, including passports, and that's why the flight got delayed, to complete formalities before leaving from Djibouti," said an officer.
"Central Railway officials arranged the onward journey of those who landed in Mumbai. They were taken to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, with all possible support extended, including free confirmed train tickets to their destinations in India," said Narendra Patil, chief public relations officer, CR.
Out of those who arrived on Thursday, 31 are from Maharashtra.
—With inputs from Shahkar Abidi
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}