180 Nepalis in China demand early evacuation as coronavirus death toll rises to 361

 A total of 180 Nepalis, mostly students, living in China have approached country's embassy in Beijing, demanding ir immediate evacuation as y fear contracting vel coronavirus that has claimed over 360 lives and infected thousands of people in neighbouring country.

coronavirus outbreak, which originated in central Hubei province in December, has killed 361 with 57 deaths reported on Sunday while number of confirmed cases has climbed to 17,205. Philippines on Sunday reported first death outside China from epidemic that has spre to 25 countries, including India, US, UK and Russia.

In China, all deaths have been reported in Hubei Province - epicentre of virus outbreak. virus was declared a global health emergency by World Health Organisation (WHO) on January 31.

"A total of 180 Nepali nationals, mostly students, currently living in 17 cities in China, including Wuhan of Hubei, have registered ir names with embassy, expressing ir desire to return home," Sushil Kumar Lamsal, deputy chief of mission at Nepali Embassy in Beijing, was quoted as saying by Kathmandu Post.

"Around 120 Nepalis from or Chinese provinces also want to return," Lamsal said. embassy has received 59 applications from Nepalis living in Wuhan, capital of Hubei. Nepalis living in five or cities in Hubei have also requested embassy to airlift m to Nepal.

RE: Group Evacuated From China To France Test Negative For Coronavirus

"As of Saturday evening, we have ascertained names of 180 Nepalis living in Hubei. We have also apprised Chinese government of our evacuation plan. As soon as government decides to evacuate m, we will take next step. We need to work on logistics to bring everyone to Wuhan airport in protective gear," Lamsal said.

Chinese government has assured assistance in evacuation of Nepalis from Wuhan, where Nepali officials won't be visiting as city is under lockdown, diplomat said. Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said on Sunday that government h finalised places where Nepalis could be kept after ir evacuation from China.

"We have me arrangements to bring Nepalis back from China," Oli said. All of se applicants are students, except three who are children, Lamsal said. "Those who have filed applications will be sent to Nepal on Wednesday evening via Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. A chartered Nepal Airlines Corporation aircraft will be used to airlift m," Lamsal told Himalayan Times.

"As for those who have t contracted disease, we will have to assure Chinese government that y will be quarantined properly before y are sent home," officials said. Many in Nepal fear that homes could become potential incubator for rapid spre of disease if government releases those evacuated from China without keeping m in quarantine facilities to ascertain y have t contracted virus.

government has said it will quarantine evacuees for two weeks before sending m home. Banglesh, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and USA have evacuated ir citizens from Wuhan. More countries are evacuating or planning to evacuate ir citizens. 

RE: ' Case Of Coronavirus Found In Tamil Nu Yet', Says Health Secretary Beela Rajesh