Over 2,400 Indian nationals safely evacuated from Iran: MEA

Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at MEA said that over 12 lakh people have returned to India from the Gulf region, and further highlighted that regular flights continue to operate from several countries to various destinations in India.

New Delhi: The Centre on Friday said that more than 2,400 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated and brought home from Iran and the situation in war hit country is remains serious.

“In Iran and that region, the situation has remained serious. Although there is a ceasefire for now. Despite this, our Ambassador continues to work in the Embassy in Tehran and is providing assistance to the people. Through their efforts, we have safely evacuated 2,400 Indian citizens from there and brought home since February 28," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told media.

Iran's airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights. "Our embassy in Tehran continues to facilitate the movement of Indian nationals through Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward travel to India," he said.

Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at MEA said that over 12 lakh people have returned to India from the Gulf region. He further highlighted that regular flights continue to operate from several countries to various destinations in India.

Noting that the overall flight situation continues to improve, with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in India, Mahajan informed, "Since February 28, around 12 lakh 12 thousand passengers have travelled from the region to India."

"Airlines continue to operate limited commercial flights based on operational and safety considerations between the UAE and India. Today, around 110 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to India. Flights are operating from airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to different destinations in India. Qatar's airspace is partially open. Qatar Airways is operating flights to various destinations in India", he said.

The government also said one Indian seafarer aboard a vessel held in Iranian custody is safe.

On April 22, Iranian captured two container ships - MSC Francesca and Epaminondas - while a third vessel, Euphoria, was fired upon.

The Liberian-flagged container ship Epaminondas, which was signalling Mundra port in Gujarat as its next destination, had one Indian seafarer among its 21 crew members mostly Ukrainians and Filipinos. The Indian seafarer has been spoken to, and he is safe.

The MSC Francesca, bound for Hambantota in Sri Lanka, had no Indian crew members. The Panama-flagged container ship Euphoria, heading to Jeddah, had 21 Indian seafarers on board.

"All Indian seafarers in the Gulf region are safe," Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, told the media here.

Epaminondas, was initially located on the western side of the strait after Iranian guards took control of it. It has since moved to the eastern side, which is considered a relatively safer area.

The western side of the strait is under the control of Iranian forces, and any vessel attempting to leave the conflict zone is required to move eastward to exit the area.

The third vessel, Euphoria, with 21 Indian seafarers, was on the eastern side. He said no incident involving any Indian flagged vessel has been reported in the past 24 hours.

There are 13 Indian flagged vessels and one Indian-owned ship that have remained stranded on the western side of the strait since the start of the West Asia conflict nearly two months back, he said.