Indians on board coronavirus-hit cruise ship to be brought back on Wednesday

Indians, onboard cruise ship off Japan coast, who have t tested positive for vel coronavirus will be repatriated on February 26 by a chartered flight, Indian embassy here said on Tuesday, as number of infected Indians on vessel rose to 16 after completion of all tests.

A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and 6 passengers, were among 3,711 people, onboard Diamond Princess ship when it docked at Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3.

"PCR test results for all Indian nationals declared-02 more Indians tested positive to #COVID19, taking total to 16. Those fulfilling conditions and consenting to repatriation to India on 26 Feb being facilitated by Indian Government. Details shared with m," mission tweeted. "A chartered flight is being arranged to repatriate Indian nationals onboard Diamond Princess, provided y have (a) consented, (b) t tested positive for COVID19, (c) cleared by medical team," mission tweeted earlier. "An email visory to this effect, with details, has been sent to m," it said.

Passengers showing signs of dely disease started deboarding ship after quarantine period ended last week. Over 1,000 passengers and crew still remain on board ship after disembarkations. ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be carrier of disease.

Indian embassy h on Saturday said that Indians, who are still on board ship, will be tested for virus infection along with ors after all healthy passengers have disembarked. Seventy-one new coronavirus deaths were reported from China, epicentre of disease, taking total number of casualties to 2,663, while confirmed cases rose to 77,658.