New Delhi: Launching a major evacuation drive, India has brought back over 530 of its nationals from strife-torn Libya by two special Air India planes, even as 88 others crossed over by road to Tunisia from the North African nation facing large-scale protests against the Gaddafi regime.
While the first flight evacuated 291 Indians from Libya and brought them back here late last night, another Air India plane carrying over 235 people landed at the Terminal 2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport here in the wee hours.
The two flights had left Libya yesterday after the authorities there allowed landing of two flights from India per day till March 10.
Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao received last night the first batch of passengers who were helped by Resident Commissioners of 10 states, including Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and officials of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs Ministries.
Apart from these, 15 corporate houses, which have their units in Libya, have been asked to help the arriving Indian nationals, the officials said, adding adequate number of buses and taxis have been made available.
"They are all in good health and cheer. The passengers included a large number of women and children," an official statement from the MEA said today. The total number of Indians in Libya is estimated to be 18,000. Meanwhile, 88 Indians have crossed over by road from Libya to Ras Jedir in Tunisia and were received by officials of Embassy of India in Tunis, who have set up a camp there.
27/02/11 PTI/Deccan Chronicle
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