The second batch of 121 Indians stranded in conflict-torn Sudan left the country and headed towards Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on Wednesday, 26 April, onboard an IAF aircraft.
This means that a total of 399 Indians have been evacuated from Sudan as part of the central government's 'Operation Kaveri'. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said on Tuesday that the first batch of 278 Indians were evacuated via a ship called INS Sumedha, which departed from Port Sudan to Jeddah.
"First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under #OperationKaveri. INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter.
Indians standing in line to board INS Sumedha.
(Photo: Arindam Bagchi/Twitter)
Indians rescued from Sudan posing for a photograph on board INS Sumedha.
(Photo: Arindam Bagchi/Twitter)
The Indian government had launched Operation Kaveri on Monday to bring back its citizens from Sudan, which has seen intense fighting amid a power struggle between the army and a paramilitary force.
India had said on Sunday that it had put in place two IAF transport aircrafts in Jeddah and INS Sumedha in Port Sudan as part of its plans to evacuate Indian nationals.
The Centre also assured the public that it was making all efforts to ensure the safety of the over 3,000 Indians living in the African country.
Meanwhile, at least 400 people have been killed and thousands injured amid the fighting in Sudan.
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