In touch with Indians in Iraq: External affairs ministry

The government is in "regular touch" with the Indian nationals in Iraq and the 46 nurses who were trapped, are safe, the external affairs ministry said Tuesday.

"The Indian ambassador has been in regular touch with the Indians. We have issued an advisory that nobody else should travel to Iraq," external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told a news channel here.

"At least 46 Indian nurses are in a hospital in Tikrit. Of these, the overwhelming majority would prefer to stay back as they have indicated this to our mission there."

"We had today (Tuesday) requested the International Red Crescent to go across there and to ensure their (nurses) safety at first hand. This they have confirmed to us," said Akbaruddin.

Akbaruddin said: "India is in touch with the UN, International Red Cross, Red Crescent, and with the Iraqi government and would advise them on modalities once the situation is slightly better."

A terrorist outfit took over the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit in an attack that took place Monday threatening the security and territorial integrity of the country.

There are 46 Indian nurses stranded in Tikrit - most of them are from Kerala - and 41 construction workers are in Mosul.