Coronavirus: Govt to send 3 planes to Iran to bring back stranded Indians

Aviation ministry said that three evacuations operations will be made to bring back stranded Indians from coronavirus-hit Iran. At least 130-150 passengers will take Iran Air flight in the first evacuation. Over 6,000 Indians are stuck in various provinces of Iran, including 1,100 pilgrims, nearly 300 students, and about 1,000 fishermen.

New Delhi: Three evacuations operations will be made back-to-back to bring back stranded Indians from coronavirus-hit Iran and in the first evacuation at least 130-150 passengers will take Iran Air flight and land at Mumbai airport on Friday afternoon.

Over 6,000 Indians are stuck in various provinces of Iran, including 1,100 pilgrims, nearly 300 students and about 1,000 fishermen.

Aviation ministry officials further said, "A similar evacuation will be conducted from Mumbai airport on March 14 at 12:30 pm and the third aircraft will take off from Delhi airport on March 15 at 1:40 am."

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, "Our international airports continue to remain alert and prepared to deal with the situation arising out it novel coronavirus. So far, 10,57,506 passengers travelling on 9,862 flights have been screened."

On Thursday, Civil Aviation Minister also informed the Parliament that thermal screening is being done across 30 airports. Flights which were coming from coronavirus-hit countries were given separate conveyor belts for baggage.

"Earlier, the waiting time across all airports was about 8-10 minutes. Now it has gone up ton20 minutes and maximum up to 25 minutes," he said during the question hour in the lower house.

According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 73 novel coronavirus cases in the country which includes 17 foreign nationals.