The first batch of 44 Kerala nurses, evacuated from Libya, arrived here Tuesday morning, said a state government official.
The nurses arrived at 8.50 a.m on a Middle East airline that came from Dubai, the official said.
P. Sudeep, chief executive officer of Roots-Norka, the state agency that looks after the welfare of non-resident Keralites, was present at Kochi airport to receive them.
"All the arrangements were made at the airport for their smooth clearance and each of them have been given Rs.2,000 as travel allowance for their journey to their homes," Sudeep told IANS.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and State Minister for Diaspora K.C. Joseph spoke to the nurses over phone as soon as they reached here.
The nurses were flown from the Tunisian border to Dubai Monday evening and from there they were brought here on a passenger flight.
Another 43 Kerala nurses are now at the Tunisian border and the date for their return has not been finalised, while 10 nurses would take a flight from there Tuesday evening.
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