UK SENDS MERCY FLIGHT

BRITAIN is sending more than 600 pieces of urgently needed medical equipment to India.

It comes as a devastating surge in Covid-19 cases has overwhelmed the country’s health services.

The first of nine plane-loads of life-saving kit – including ventilators and oxygen concentrators – will arrive in New Delhi early tomorrow.

It follows Foreign Office discussions with the Indian government.

Further consignments are due to be despatched later this week.

For the fourth straight day on Sunday, India set a global daily record for new infections, with another 349,691 confirmed cases.

It took the country’s total to more than 16.9 million, behind only the United States.

Boris Johnson, who was due to visit India this week before the latest deadly wave forced him to cancel, said in a statement the UK would do whatever it could to help the country.

He added: “We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19.

“Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus.

“We will continue to work closely with the Indian government... I’m determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against (this) pandemic.”

The equipment includes 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators from surplus UK stocks. The Government said it was in contact with Indian authorities to establish what further assistance is required.