By TCN News,
New Delhi: In a short while from now two planes of Air India will be landing in the Libyan capital of Tripoli to evacuate stranded Indians in the violence-torn country heading towards a civil war-like situation. Besides planes, Navy ships have also set sailing towards Libya.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs press communication issued half an hour ago, the specially chartered Air India Boeing 747 with the capacity of 360 passengers, and an Airbus 330 with a capacity of 280, are en route to Tripoli and were to land shortly. They will return to New Delhi landing at Terminal 2, after picking up passengers at Tripoli. The expected time of arrival will be communicated as soon as known.
Additional MEA personnel are in position at the Embassy of India, Tripoli to enhance the manpower strength of the Mission, informed the ministry.
Besides, INS Jalashwa and INS Mysore have set sail from Mumbai this morning (26th Feb). The sailing time is about twelve days to Libya.
Another passenger ship with a capacity of 1600, presently in the Mediterranean, is being chartered today and will be pressed into service for assisting the departure of our nationals out of Libya.
According to MEA, Scotia Prince is scheduled to depart for Benghazi (Libya) from Port Said (Egypt) today at 2000 hrs. and is likely to arrive at its destination by the afternoon of Monday, 28th February 2011. The ship has a capacity of 1200 passengers.