INS Airavat arrives in TN with nearly 200 Indians from Maldives

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Airavat reached Tuticorin in Tamil Nu on Tuesday afternoon with 198 Indians from Male in Maldives under 'Operation Samudra Setu', said Navy on Tuesday.

'Operation Samudra Setu' was initiated by Indian Navy on May 8 to bring stranded citizens from abro.

Navy, in a press release, said, " evacuees were received by local authorities at Tuticorin and arrangements were in place for speedy disembarkation, health screening, immigration and transportation of evacuees."

"INS Airavat, deployed by Indian Navy for 'Operation Samudra Setu', entered Tuticorin harbour early morning today, Jun 23, 2020 with 198 Indian nationals embarked from Male, Maldives," it ded.

Till date, Indian Navy has brought back 2,386 Indians from Maldives to India under this operation.

A total of 64 people who arrived on Tuesday hailed from Kanyakumari district while rest were from or districts, said officials of Tamil Nu government.

Upon arrival, passengers were screened by Port Health officials and ir luggage was sanitised as part of COVID-19 health protocols.

On issue of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to all passengers by Port authorities, y boarded waiting buses and transited to passenger terminal.

Later, before proceeding to ir respective destinations in designated buses, self-declaration forms were obtained from passengers and y were also asked to

downlo and configure 'Aarogya Setu' app in ir phones.