Egypt protests: Special Air India plane to bring back 300 Indians

Mtoday news

New Delhi, Jan 30:  With Egypt engulfed in a wave of massive protests, India has sent a special plane to fly back its nationals from the troubled nation.

A special Air India flight has taken off to the Egyptian capital Cairo this evening to bring back 300 Indians, mainly women and children, who wanted to leave the country.

 

 

The arrangement for the special flight was made at the request of the Indian community in Egypt in view of the prevailing situation there, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement here.

The Indian Embassy at Cairo has already made special arrangements to airlift all Indian nationals living in the country who wanted to return home.


The arrangements are being coordinated by the Indian Ambassador to Egypt R Swaminathan.

The Embassy officials are in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs here, which is closely monitoring the situation.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said, "The Government of India is doing everything to safeguard and we are also taking steps for those who are keen to come back to India."

Meanwhile, hundreds of Indian passengers were stranded at Cairo’s airport today as flights were cancelled or delayed, leaving them unable to leave because of a government-imposed curfew in the capital.

"It is absolutely chaotic at the moment and no one knows what is going on, as there are thousands of people outside the terminal and there is no arrangement of food," said Indian national Vineet Ahuja, who is stranded with his family at the Cairo airport.

"And we cannot even blame anyone," he added.

New Delhi had earlier in the day said that all Indian nationals in Egypt, which is witnessing violent protests since last four days, are safe but advised its people against travelling to that country.

"The Embassy of India in Cairo is in touch with members of the Indian community, who are reported to be safe. There are about 3600 People of Indian Origin (PIO) in Egypt, of which some 2200 are in Cairo. In view of the prevailing situation in Egypt, Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Egypt for the present...," a statement by the External Affairs Ministry said.

Indian embassy has also set-up a round-the-clock Control Room for information, the statement said.

Several people have been killed in the clashes and many others injured. Over 1,000 protesters were arrested across the country since the protests broke out four days ago.