More than 270 Indians to return on Iran flight today

NEWDELHI:MORE than 270 Indians are set to return from Iran on a special flight on Tuesday as part of efforts to evacuate some 500 pilgrims and students from the Covid-19-affected country by the end of the week, people familiar with developments said.

Iran’s Mahan Air will operate the flight that will bring back Indians who have already been screened and tested negative for Covid-19, the people said on condition of anonymity. The flight is expected to land in New Delhi after midnight on Wednesday.

Mahan Air is expected to operate another flight on March 28 to evacuate more Indians, the people said. “We are looking to evacuate some 500 Indians, including pilgrims and students, from Iran by the end of this week,” said one of the people cited above.

India has evacuated close to 600 of its nationals from Iran, where 255 Indians tested positive for Covid-19. One of the people, who tested positive, died subsequently while the others are being treated by Iranian doctors at a special facility set up by the Indian embassy in Qom.

Meanwhile, French embassy is coordinating with Indian authorities to arrange the evacuation of French travellers stranded in the country. “We are working with the Indian authorities and with airline companies to organise flights for French citizens,” French ambassador Emmanuel Lenain told HT.

We are looking to evacuate some 500 Indians, including pilgrims and students, from Iran by the end of this week OFFICIALS