Coronavirus: Second Batch Of 323 Indians Evacuated From China’s Wuhan City

New Delhi: A second Air India flight carrying 323 Indians stranded in China’s coronavirus-hit Wuhan city landed in New Delhi on Sunday morning. Seven Maldives citizens were also evacuated on the same plane.

The second Air India special flight departed at 3.10 am (IST) from Wuhan and landed at New Delhi airport around 9.45 am.

“The second Air India flight from Wuhan has just taken off for Delhi with 323 Indian citizens on board. Seven Maldives citizens are also being evacuated,” Vikram Misri, the Indian ambassador to China, tweeted.

Misri thanked the Chinese foreign ministry and local authorities in Hubei province for their assistance.

“A special word of appreciation for two of our officers who are on board the plane — Deepak Padmakumar and M Balakrishnan — for showing exemplary fortitude and a real spirit of public service by traveling to ground zero in Wuhan to coordinate airport arrangements. Kudos to both,” he added.

On Saturday, the first Air India flight, a specially-prepped Boeing 747, had brought back 324 Indians stranded in Wuhan. Among the evacuees were three minors and 211 students.

Misri further informed that four Indians could not board the second flight after they reported high temperatures. On Saturday, six Indians could not board the first flight as they were stopped by Chinese immigration officials after they were found suffering from fever.