A total of 119 Indians and five foreigners — including a Nepali national — were brought to Delhi in an Air India flight today morning.
The rescued were aboard a quarantined cruise ship docked off in Yokohama of Japan.
Other foreigners brought to India in the special Air India flight included two from Sri Lanka and one each from South Africa and Peru.
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— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020
It has been reported that all the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at a medical facility set-up by the Indian Army in Manesar.
As many as 3,711 people were aboard the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3.
The ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the disease.
India had earlier operated two special Air India flights on February 1 and 2 and airlifted 647 Indian nationals, mostly students, and seven Maldivian nationals, from China. Wednesday’s flight was cleared by China after allegations of delay by Indian officials.
Summary of coronavirus spread
- Saudi Arabia is stopping pilgrims entering the country
- It is not clear if the Hajj pilgrimage, which begins in July this year, will be affected
- Non-religious tourists from virus-affected countries are also being barred from the country
- Italy now has 400 cases – a 25% surge in a day
- Several European countries have announced new cases, traced to Italy
- Globally, more than 80,000 people in about 40 countries have been infected
- Cases and deaths are also up in China, although mainly in Hubei
