Milan (Italy): A special Air India aircraft carrying 218 passengers, which included 211 Indian students and seven compassionate cases, who were stuck in Italy after flights were cancelled due to the coronavirus, outbreak landed in Delhi this morning.

“211 students & 7 compassionate cases departed by AI flight #Milan. All those who helped us through this difficult situation, special thanks to @airindiain team & Italian authorities. Consulate will continue to ensure the welfare of all Indians in northern #Italy,” Indian consulate in Milan tweeted early this morning.

Italy is the worst-hit European nation with 1,411 deaths due to coronavirus deaths. The country reported 175 deaths on Saturday.

Air India has cancelled flights to Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, South Korea and Sri Lanka till April 30, an airline official said on Friday, amid mounting concerns.

Shifted to ITBP Camp

A total of 218 evacuees have been shifted to ITBP quarantine centre in the national capital.

The evacuees were taken to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) facility at Chhawla in west Delhi in a bus soon after they went through a preliminary medical check up at the airport after their arrival at around 10 a.m. and sanitisation of their baggage.

Of the 218 evacuees, 211 are students and 7 are other nationals. They will be kept at the ITBP’s quarantine centre for the next 14 days under close observation, an official said.

Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan through his tweet shared information about Indians arriving from Milan at the IGI airport.

Consulate will continue to ensure the welfare of all Indians in northern Italy. Responding to which the External Affairs Minister of state thanked Binoy George, the Consul General of India in Milan. “Thank you CG @georgebinoy Keep up the good work.” tweeted the minister.