INS Airawat reaches Thoothukudi port this morning with 198 stranded Indians

The Indian Naval Ship INS Airawat reached Thoothukudi port in Tamil Nadu this morning, bringing back 198 stranded Indians from the Maldives. The evacuation mission has been undertaken by the Indian Navy under the Operation Samudra Setu. The amphibious vessel Airawat had set sail for the Indian shores from Male, the capital of the South Asian neighbour on Sunday. Our correspondent says the passengers expressed their happiness over the safe and comfortable voyage back home by following the COVID-19 safety protocols.

INS Airawat is the second Indian naval vessel to drop its anchor at the VOC Port at Thoothukkdi and the third evacuation mission at the harbour under the operation Samudra Setu. 

Earlier, INS



Jalashwa brought 685 people from Colombo and 700 passengers from Male to the harbour under the humanitarian mission. The evacuation operation through the sea route has been underway since early May and the ports of call for the naval ships include Kochi and Porbandar besides Thoothukkudi. After disembarkation today, the due medical screening and quarantine protocols were followed for the passengers. They expressed happiness over setting their foot back on the homeland at the time of the pandemic. 

At Male, the present evacuation has been coordinated by the Indian mission. The Navy is lending its helping hands at such stressful times much to the relief of the stranded Indians.