8500 stranded Indians flown back in six days

New Delhi: Authorities said on Wednesday that 8503 stranded Indians had been brought back from different countries during the past six days.

“8503 Indians have been flown back to India in 43 inbound flights operated by Air India and Air India Express in six days beginning from May 7,” a statement issued by the federal civil aviation ministry said.

The Indian government launched an exercise to repatriate its nationals stranded in different countries because of the lockdown imposed in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

The civil aviation ministry was co-ordinating with the federal foreign ministry for bringing Indians back to their homeland.

Last week, the government said 64 flights would be operated until May 13.