Off the wire
• Official campaigning for 41 prefectural assemblies kicks off in Japan  • China condemns terrorist attack on Kenyan university  • Pakistanis evacuated from Yemen with China's help arrive in Islamabad  • Turkey hails nuclear deal with Iran as "positive step"  • News Analysis: Terrorism threatens stability, hampers economic growth in Kenya: experts  • Feature: Grief grips Kenya as terror attack dampens Easter mood  • (Recast) IGAD condemns terrorist attack on Kenya university  • IGAD condemns terrorist attack on Kenya university  • Massive fire destroys factory in Sri Lanka  • 1st Ld-Writethru: Chinese shares rise for third day  
You are here: 　 Home

India gets permission to evacuate nationals by plane from Yemen

Xinhua, April 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

India will evacuate hundreds of its nationals stranded in war-ridden Yemen in coming days after two Air India passenger jets have been allowed to go to Sana'a for evacuation operation, said local media Friday.

In what is a big relief for Indians stuck inside Yemen, the government has received permission by Saudi Arabia to fly two Air India planes into the capital, Sana'a on Friday, said The Hindu online.

The report quoted Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs V.K. Singh as saying that the two flights will try to make at least two trips to transport passengers from Sana'a to Djibouti, where he is overseeing evacuation operation.

"If all goes well, we hope to bring at least 500 more Indians out of Yemen today," he said.

The two Air India planes have been on standby at Muscat airport, waiting for clearance from Saudi Arabian authorities, who control the airspace over Sana'a and have been conducting regular airstrikes on Yemen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Saudi King Salman earlier this week, but permission had been held up while the bombing continued.

India has evacuated over 650 nationals from Yemen on a navy vessel from Aden to Djibouti, from where two Indian air force planes flew them back to India. Endi