New Delhi begins evacuation of Indians from Libya

An Air India special flight Saturday went to Tripoli to evacuate the first batch of 18,000 Indians, said External Affairs and civil aviation officials.

Another Air India special flight is expected to reach there soon. Both flights will together bring 700 stranded Indians back home.

Besides, three naval warships also set sail Saturday to Malta Island across the Mediterranean which has become a hub for evacuation by several countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed Saturday that the evacuation process to bring back Indians from Libya has begun.

Another Naval warship will set for Benghazi Sunday and will reach Alexandria with Indian evacuees. Two more ships are also being pressed into service.

According to sources, one more military aircraft is also headed to Egypt to bring back a group of 90 Indians who crossed over by road to Libya.

Meanwhile, another Indian casualty has been reported in the northern African country. One Ashok Kumar died in Tobruk city of Libya. He was among the five Indians hurt in a road accident while fleeing the country.

Libya is going through an acute political turmoil for the last two weeks following violent anti-government protests.

Source: Xinhua