COVID-19: 698 Indians stranded in Maldives sail back home under Operation Samudra Setu

A total of 698 Indian nationals stranded in the Maldives due to the COVID-19 linked international travel restrictions were evacuated on Friday from the scenic island nation on an Indian Navy warship.

India's High Commissioner in the Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir expressed his deep gratitude to the Indian Navy, the Government of Maldives and its agencies for extending complete cooperation for the success of the massive evacuation of Indian nationals.

An Indian Navy spokesman said there were a number of pregnant women and children among the evacuees who will travel to Kochi in Kerala.

The INS Jalashwa, the Navy's amphibious warship, reached Male on Thursday to undertake the massive repatriation mission named 'Operation Samudra Setu'.

Sudhir said a second Navy ship INS Magar will leave for Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu on Sunday with 200 Indians. He said the exercise will be repeated next week by the Indian Navy warships.

The first Naval ship from Male is expected to arrive at the Cochin Port on May 10, Port Trust officials in Kochi said.

The INS Jalashwa is part of the repatriation mission launched by the Indian Navy to bring Indian citizens home from foreign shores, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

Immigration procedures of the passengers were carried out in the Hulhumale' Ferry Terminal in Male City. "Fantastic job by the entire team of