Air India's second special flight departs for Wuhan from Delhi airport to evacuate Indians

Hours after arrival of first flight from Chinese city in Delhi, Air India spokesperson said, "Ar flight will depart to Wuhan from Delhi at 12.50 pm today with a different set of crew, same doctors' team with or aircraft. rescue team is again heed by Capt Amitabh Singh, Director Operation, Air India."

Wuhan, Hubei's capital, is epicentre of vel coronavirus outbreak. virus outbreak has killed 259 people in China with total confirmed cases surging to 11,791 amid stepped up efforts by a number of countries to evacuate ir nationals from Hubei province, officials said on Saturday.

About Friday's flight, spokesperson h said earlier during day, "A team of five doctors from RML hospital, one paramedical staff from Air India, with prescribed medicines from doctors, masks, overcoats, packed food are in aircraft. A team of engineers, security personnel are also re in this special aircraft. Whole rescue mission is being led by Captain Amitabh Singh."

spokesperson h ded that re were five cockpit crew members and 15 cabin crew members on Friday's flight.

Before departure at Delhi airport, Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani h said, " service will take place in plane. Whatever food is re will be kept in seat pockets. As re will be service, re will be interaction (between cabin crew and passengers)."

"Masks have been arranged for crew and passengers. For our crew, we have also arranged a complete protective gear," he h ded.

"Total five doctors from Health Ministry are also going... plane will be re (at Wuhan airport) for 2-3 hours," Lohani h said.

Air India has done such evacuations earlier also from countries such as Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Kuwait and Nepal.

A special Air India plane landed here on Saturday morning after evacuating 324 Indian nationals from vel coronavirus-hit Wuhan and ar flight of airline would leave national capital for Chinese city in afteron, officials said.

first plane -- Air India's jumbo B747 aircraft carrying 211 students, 110 working professionals and three mirs-- reached Delhi around 7.30 am, y said.

re were five doctors from Ram Mahar Lohia (RML) Hospital and one paramedical staff on board, said an Air India spokesperson.

Indian Army has set up a quarantine facility in Manesar near Delhi to keep those evacuated from China's Hubei province.

Officials said y would be monitored for any signs of infection for a duration of two weeks by a qualified team of doctors and staff members.

"With 324 passengers, a special flight has taken off for India from Wuhan. It may reach Delhi at 7.30am," said Air India spokesperson at 1.19 am on Saturday.

flight h departed from Delhi airport at 1.17 pm on Friday to evacuate Indian nationals from China, where more than 250 people - ne of m Indian - have died due to vel coronavirus.

Im credits: Air India