India successfully evacuates 218 from COVID-hit Italy

New Delhi: At least 218 Indians including 211 students from Milan landed in Delhi on Sunday, the Minister of State for foreign affairs V. Muraleedharan said.

He tweeted: "218 Indians including 211 students from Milan landed in Delhi. All will be quarantined for 14 days. GoI is committed to reach out to Indians in distress, wherever they are! Appreciate Govt. of Italy for their support and team @IndiainItaly @cgmilan1 @airindiain."

218 Indians including 211 students from Milan landed in Delhi. All will be quarantined for 14 days. GoI is committed to reach out to Indians in distress, wherever they are!

Appreciate Govt. of Italy for their support and team @IndiainItaly @cgmilan1 @airindiain .@DrSJaishankar

— V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) March 15, 2020

The persons, stranded in Milan, boarded special aircraft of national carrier Air India, operated on a Boeing 787, sent by the government to evacuate stranded Indians due to coronavirus outbreak. Of the 218, 7 are other nationals.

The India Embassy in Italy said on Twitter on Sunday: "211 students & 7 compassionate cases departed by AI flight from Milan. Thanks to those who helped us through this difficult situation. Special thanks to Air Indian team and Italian authorities. Consulate will continue to ensure welfare of all Indians in northern Italy."

211 students & 7 compassionate cases departed by AI flight #Milan.?all those who helped us through this difficult situation. Special ?to @airindiain team & Italian authorities. Consulate will continue to ensure welfare of all Indians in northern #Italy @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/eTX6GXHWCf

— India in Milan (@cgmilan1) March 14, 2020

Responding to which the External Affairs Minister thanked Binoy George, the Consul General of India in Milan. "Thank you CG @georgebinoy Keep up the good work." tweeted the minister.

Thank you CG @georgebinoy. Keep up the good work.@MOS_MEA https://t.co/KHH351fWHA

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 14, 2020

The national carrier's special ferry flight took-off from New Delhi on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier in the morning two Air India flights carrying over 230 Indians from coronavirus-hit Iran landed here on Sunday morning and the passengers have been quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer.

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While External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that a total of 234 Indians have been evacuated from Iran, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said, "236 persons have landed in Jaisalmer by two Air India flights this morning."

Jaishankar said the batch comprises 131 students and 103 pilgrims.

"234 Indians stranded in Iran have arrived in India; including 131 students and 103 pilgrims.Thank you Ambassador Dhamu Gaddam and @India_in_Iran team for your efforts. Thank Iranian authorities," Jaishankar tweeted.

234 Indians stranded in #Iran have arrived in India; including 131 students and 103 pilgrims.
Thank you Ambassador @dhamugaddam and @India_in_Iran team for your efforts. Thank Iranian authorities.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 14, 2020

"They are being quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer," Col Ghosh said.

The centre is fully equipped and a functional facility to help Indian citizens undertake the mandatory quarantine period under the supervision of skilled medical authorities.

Soldiers have volunteered to provide care and support to the countrymen returning from overseas, he said.

The Army Wellness Centre is working in synergy with the Civil Administration, Airport authorities and Air Force to ensure proper care is provided to the evacuated citizens. This is the third batch of Indians evacuated from Iran.

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A second batch of 44 Indian pilgrims had arrived from Iran on Friday. The first batch of 58 Indian pilgrims were brought back from Iran on Tuesday.

Iran is one of the worst-affected countries by the coronavirus outbreak and the government has been working on plans to bring back Indians stranded there.

(With Agency Inputs)