We Are Running Out Of Water And Food, Say Indian Students Stuck In Coronavirus-Hit Wuhan

As the deadly outbreak of the Coronavirus in China continues to spread rapidly a group of eight Indian students studying at Wuhan University of Science and Technology in China has appealed to the Indian government to make all possible efforts to rescue them at the earliest.

The students who are originally from Assam, Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir are stuck in the city which is the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus outbreak. They said that they were running short of food and water in their dormitory due to the shutdown in the city, imposed by the Chinese authorities to prevent the spread of the virus.

"Due to the coronavirus outbreak in the city, we have been advised to stay indoors. Hence we are stuck in our dormitory (on the campus). We are being allowed to go out for only two hours a day to buy essentials but there is a lockdown in the city. All the shops and transport systems are closed. There is a shortage of essentials and we will soon run out of food and water," Gaurav Nath, a 22-year-old student from Assam who is pursuing Material Science and Engineering from the university, told ANI.

REUTERS

The Indian Embassy in China has contacted the stranded students and promised possible assistance. The students continue to be anxious as the virus is spreading in the city. "The Indian embassy in China is in constant touch with us for the rescue. We appeal to the Indian government to rescue us at the earliest," he added.

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the process to prepare for the evacuation of Indian nationals. Earlier, External affairs minister S Jaishankar had said that the embassy was in touch with the Chinese government and efforts are being made for the evacuation of stranded Indians.

"Our Embassy is in contact with the Chinese government. We are trying to evacuate people, most of whom are students from Wuhan city by sending a plane. Efforts are on. I can assure you that the central government is working on it and very soon, some solution will be found," he said.

"No Indian student has been found to be affected by this virus. Parents need not worry about their children," he added.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday approved the Air India flight to Wuhan for the evacuation of Indian citizens from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city. An Air India Boeing 747 has been kept on standby for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Wuhan.

AFP

This comes as the death toll and the number of positive cases for the viral infection continues to grow across China and around the world. The death toll from the infectious virus has risen to 106.

Chinese health authorities on Tuesday announced that 4,515 confirmed cases of the disease have been reported in 30 provincial-level regions. Many countries including India are screening travellers from certain parts of China for symptoms of the virus at airports.