Two vessels sail out of Yemen with 445 Indians

Two Indian vessels carrying 445 Indians evacuated from strife-torn Yemen started their journey for back home on Sunday, said a Kerala minister here.

Kerala Minister for Diaspora K.C. Joseph told IANS on Sunday morning that the vessels have left Djibouti, neighbouring Yemen.

"We do not have the exact number of passengers on board or their nationalities but what we are being told is there are 445 Indians among the evacuated. Information is not coming in like before because the Indian embassy in Sana'a in Yemen has closed. Indian officials are also waiting for the arrival of a flight," said Joseph.

He added the ships would first reach Mumbai and then come to Kochi on April 18.

"We are in touch with the ministry of external affairs to let us know the number of passengers and other details. Two Indian warships are also accompanying the two vessels, while another ship is still in Yemen," said Joseph.

He expressed his anguish over the 35 Indians waiting at Sana'a airport, who are insisting they be air-lifted.

"At a time of emergency operations, there should be a sense of urgency to get out of the troubled areas by cooperating with the officials," he stressed.

"We have also been told there are several Keralites who are remaining there on their own, but we do not have any numbers," said Joseph.