530 Indians flown back from Libya, 88 cross over to Tunisia

New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) Launching a major evacuation
drive, India has brought back over 530 of its nationals from
strife-torn Libya by two special Air India planes, even as 88
others crossed over by road to Tunisia from the North African
nation facing large-scale protests against the Gaddafi regime.
While the first flight evacuated 291 Indians from
Libya and brought them back here late last night, another Air
India plane carrying over 235 people landed at the Terminal 2
of the Indira Gandhi International Airport here in the wee
hours.
The two flights had left Libya yesterday after the
authorities there allowed landing of two flights from India
per day till March 10.
Minister of State for External Affairs in India E
Ahamed and Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao received last
night the first batch of passengers who were helped by
Resident Commissioners of 10 states, including Kerala, Uttar
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and officials of External Affairs and
Overseas Indian Affairs Ministries.
Apart from these, 15 corporate houses, which have
their units in Libya, have been asked to help the arriving
Indian nationals, the officials said, adding adequate number
of buses and taxis have been made available.
"They are all in good health and cheer. The passengers
included a large number of women and children," an official
statement from the MEA said Sunday.
The total number of Indians in Libya is estimated to
be 18,000.
Meanwhile, 88 Indians have crossed over by road from
Libya to Ras Jedir in Tunisia and were received by officials
of Embassy of India in Tunis, who have set up a camp there.
"All 88, who work for Punj Lloyd, have since been
housed in 'Best Hotel' in Djerba (Tunisia), from where they
are likely to be flown back to India soon. Another 170 persons
are likely to reach Ras Jedir today," the statement said.
With fear still writ large on their faces, the
Indians, many of whom had to go without food for several days
since the outbreak of the revolt against the Gadaffi regime a
fortnight back, gave an account of the tales of fear, horror
and looting to mediapersons on their arrival.
Mohammed Sali, hailing from Kochi in Kerala and who
has been living in Libya for the past 31 years, said people
had to go without food and water for days as the situation
turned from bad to worse in Libya.
The Ministry of External Affairs and Delhi
International Airport Limited made arrangements for the
arriving passengers in the in-operational Terminal 2.(More)PTI
SMJ
SMT


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain
proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify
the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
contained in it.


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next