New Delhi (NVI): A special Air India flight arrived in Delhi from Tokyo today, bringing back 119 Indian nationals who were on board a Japanese cruise ship, affected by coronavirus.
Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess was docked at Yokohama port near Tokyo after confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported on the vessel. It was under quarantine and under the process of disembarkation.
“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,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.
Jaishankar also appreciated the Indian Embassy in Tokyo for their efforts to make the evacuation process smooth.
A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and six passengers, were among the 3,711 people, onboard the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at Yokohama on February 3.
Apart from that, an Indian Air Force flight brought back 76 Indians from Wuhan in China. The plane also brought back 36 nationals from 7 countries.
“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,” Jaishankar said in another tweet.
The C-17 Globemaster III plane had departed from Air Force Station, Palam yesterday carrying 15 tonnes of medical supplies to Wuhan.
This is the third Air India flight that India has sent to coronavirus-hit Wuhan to evacuate its nationals.
A total of three flights have been organised including the one today. Earlier two flights were on 31 January and 1 February. In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 Foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China in these three flights, the government said in a press release today.
Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, said that while the evacuees from Japan will be quarantined at the Army camp at Manesar, those from Wuhan shall be housed at the ITBP facility at Chhawla.
Out of the 138 Indian nationals on board of Cruise Ship Diamond Princess, 119 out of 122 who were tested and found negative as per latest PCR test have been brought back as 3 Indian nationals opted not to come back. All other 16 are in hospitals in Japan getting treatment and quarantined, Harsh Vardhan stated.
Harsh Vardhan added, “Government of India has also sent a consignment of 15 tonnes of Indian Medical Relief for COVID-19 to Wuhan, China.”
