Homecoming: Flight With 263 Indians Evacuated From Coronavirus-Hit Italy Touches Down In Delhi
263 Indians were evacuated from Italy in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak and the Air India flight carrying them home has landed in Delhi. Most of them are students and they are back in their own country.
263 Indians were evacuated from Italy in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak and the Air India flight carrying them home has landed in Delhi. Most of them are students and now they are back in their own country.
They will be taken to an Indo-Tibetan Border Police-managed quarantine facility in Chhawla. This is after thermal scanning and immigration is done at the airport.
ANI/AP
¡°The passengers are being handled at the isolation bay far away from other terminals, and would be taken out from a separate gate for compulsory quarantine¡±, a Delhi airport official said, according to Hindustan Times.
¡°The relief flight AI 1122 from Rome landed at 9.16 am in Delhi with 263 passengers on board. A big salute to our gallant crew and ground staff,¡± Air India officials said.
Delhi Customs continue to provide its assistance in clearance of the 263 passengers from Rome at the remote bay at the airport. All precautions being exercised and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling passengers being followed. #COVID19 https://t.co/0qZvARpQ7G
¡ª ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
"The crew members had been provided with hazmat suits for safety,¡± an official added.
A day before, we had deployed a Boeing 777 with 12 crew members to rescue Indians stranded in Rome.
263 Indian students & compassionate cases departed for India by special AI flight from Rome fulfilling our commitment to ensure their safe return home. Sincere ? to @airindiain & Italian authorities @DrSJaishankar @harshvshringla @MEAIndia @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/RmdxdKqfKH
¡ª India in Italy (@IndiainItaly) March 21, 2020
This is the second batch to be evacuated. The first batch was 218 people from Milan. Over 500 are still stranded and more flights may have to be sent.
Italy has been badly hit by the disease, as the number of cases has risen to 6,600 and over 800 new deaths have been reported. The total death tally is nearing 5000 - more than China, where the disease originated.
