806 Indians flying home from Yemen

New Delhi: India on Sunday continued evacuating its citizens from Yemen on war-footing, with 806 of its nationals headed for home onboard three flights. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj assured that all Indians would be evacuated from the strife-torn Gulf country irrespective of whether they had travel documents.

A flurry of tweets on the handle of the external affairs minister gave instant updates on the massive evacuation efforts launched by the government in Yemen. Sushma Swaraj tweeted: "We shall evacuate all Indian nationals from Yemen. Nobody will be left behind for want of travel documents."

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin in a latest tweet, said: "Evacuation from Yemen at full pace - 806 heading home today."

He said that two C-17 Globemaster transport planes of the Indian Air Force were set to land at Mumbai - one carrying 225 passengers set to land at 9.45 p.m. and another ferrying 229 passengers to land at a quarter past midnight.

An Air India flight would reach Kochi with 352 passengers at a quarter past midnight, he said. India also pulled out 182 of its nationals and 21 foreigners from Al Muqalla port by sea, while 488 Indians were evacuated in three Air India flights out of the Yemeni capital Sana'a.

Sushma Swaraj said all Indian nationals have been evacuated from the southern Yemeni port of Aden. "The evacuation from Aden is complete - thanks to Indian Navy." She also tweeted: "Thanks to Air India - three planes have taken off from Sanaa for Djibouti with 488 on board."

She retweeted secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Anil Wadhwa's message: "INS Sumitra departs from Al Muqalla port in Yemen for Djibouti with 203 evacuees - 182 Indian nationals and rest from 8 nationalities."

Al Muqallah is the main sea port and capital of the Hadhramaut coastal region in Yemen. In a series of tweets, she said "My colleague General V.K.Singh who is shuttling between Sanaa and Djibouti is sparing no effort in accomplishing this difficult task."

"Our Officers in Djibouti are tirelessly working and



coordinating this massive effort."

"Our Embassy in Yemen is working round the clock in war torn Yemen."

"INS Tarkash has escorted our passenger ships which have reached Djibouti this afternoon."

"INS Sumitra and INS Mumbai have evacuated Indian nationals from Aden, Hudeidah and Muqalla under very challenging circumstances."

She informed that the respective state governments were providing help to the returnees. "The State Governments are receiving their returnees and providing them all help." Kerala Government is giving Rs.2000/- to each passenger arriving in Kochi."

"Maharashtra Government is giving Rs.3,000/- to each passenger arriving in Mumbai."

"Indian Railways are providing all hospitality and confirmed tickets free of charge for onward journey to their homes."

"Air India has deployed three A320 for evacuation from Sanaa to Djibouti and one A777 for flying Indians from Djibouti to Kochi and Mum."

"Indian Air Force has deployed two C 17 Air crafts to fly passengers from Djibouti to India."

"Ministry of Home has given two passenger ships Kavaratti and Corals to carry 1100 passengers." "Massive Indian effort - Indian Navy has deployed 3 warships INS Sumitra, INS Mumbai and INS Tarkash."

To a question, she said India had not delayed its action in Yemen.

"No late reaction. We issued Advisory on 21Jan, then on 19 March and on  25 March advising Indian nationals to leave Yemen."

The minister also informed that the Indian Navy had evacuated three Pakistani nationals from the Yemeni port Hodeidah and that Pakistani authorities had in turn helped evacuate 11 Indians from Makala.

"Humanitarian gesture - Indian Navy evacuated 3 Pak nationals from Hodeida by INS Sumitra. Pakistan brought 11 Indians from Makala."

Earlier in the day, Indian naval ship INS Mumbai reached Djibouti safely with a total of 440 people, including Indians and nationals of 17 other countries, who were evacuated from the Yemeni port of Aden amid heavy shelling. There were more than 260 Indians onboard.