Air India evacuates 119 Indians stuck onboard coronavirus hit cruise ship
119 Indians stranded in the cruise ship Diamond Princess, off the coast of Japan, for the past several days after being hit by the Corona virus have been airlifted. A special flight of Air India brought these Indians and 5 foreign nationals to Delhi on Thursday morning. These 5 foreigners are from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru. India has thanked Japan for helping to airlift these people. An aircraft of the Indian Air Force is also bringing 112 Indians to foreigners from Wuhan city of China.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted, ‘Air India flight from Tokyo has just landed in Delhi with 119 Indians and 5 citizens of Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru. All of these were isolated on the diamond princess due to COVID19 (corona virus). The cooperation of Japanese authorities is well appreciated. Thanks again to Air India. ‘
There were a total of 3,711 people on the cruise ship Diamond Princess, out of which 138 were Indians. Among the Indians, 132 were crew members and the rest 6 passengers. The rest of the Indians are being treated in Japan. The ship was isolated off the coast of Japan on February 5 because of a test of corona virus infection among the occupants. The apprehension later proved to be correct and many people, including some Indians aboard the ship, were found positive in the corona virus test. This deadly virus has engulfed 800,000 people from 37 countries worldwide while more than 2600 people have died.
Indians are also being brought from Wuhan in China
On the other hand, the Indian Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster aircraft is carrying 112 Indians and foreigners from China’s Wuhan city. The aircraft had arrived with essential medical supplies from India to the Wuhan city of China, the worst affected by the corona virus. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar described the consignment as a strong expression of India’s solidarity with the people of China in difficult times. The C-17 Globemaster military aircraft arrived in China with about 15 tons of medical aid containing masks, gloves and other medical equipment. The Embassy of India, which is coordinating the operation, said that after taking off the relief material, the flight took off with 112 Indians and foreigners.
