Exclusive: Indian govt reaches out to stranded Indian nationals at Aden in Yemen

Update

Djibouti: Speaking to Newskarnataka, from Djibouti, one of the evacuees, has confirmed that the ship has berthed at Djibouti and all the passengers will be transferred to India through IAF aircraft which are on stand by. They expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the goverment.

Yemen (Aden): A day’s apprehensive wait at Aden by the Indian nationals ended, after a ship, INS Sumitra landed at the Aden port. “Insha’ Allah, the ship finally arrived,” Shaique Ruknuddin Shakre, a stranded Indian, sent a message through WhatsApp.

The ship, according to an Indian Embassy official reached the Aden port in Yemen at around 6.00 PM (Yemen timings) on Tuesday. The ship carrying around 344 Indian nationals and 40 Indian Yemenis (Indian people of Yemeni descent) set sail to Djibouti (Africa) at 9.20 PM (Yemen timing).

However according to Indian timing it reached port at around 8.07 PM and started journey at 11.27 PM. This was the first rescue effort by the Indian government at Aden after Saudi lead allies initiated bombings targeting Houthi rebels six days back.

The officials, according to Shakre, earlier announced they would allow only families to board the ship leaving behind bachelors, he said in a voice message through WhatsApp. This pronouncement at the port drew flak, even as it ignited heated debates and negotiations between officials and Indian nationals. Following brief negotiations officials agreed to take all Indian nationals in the same vessel.

Shakre lamenting the plight of indians, expressed there was a huge rush at the post before boarding the ship. But his co-passengers, like him were elated as the Indian government reached out to them. This reporter was unable to procure the details on timing of arrival of ship at Djibouti and next course of action due to network problems incurred. Though the ship was overcrowded, Indian nationals from Aden and Taiz managed to be accomodated into the ship, it is learnt.