Coronavirus: IAF aircraft brings back 58 Indians from Iran

The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft brought back 58 Indians from coronavirus hit Iran on Tuesday, official said.

The aircraft, a C-17 Globemaster, was sent to Tehran on Monday.

Approximately 2,000 Indians are living in Iran, a country that has seen a rampant increase in number of Covid-19 cases in the last few days.

"The IAF aircraft has landed. Mission completed. On to the next," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

In a previous tweet, he wrote, "First batch of 58 Indian pilgrims being brought back from Iran. IAF C-17 taken off from Tehran and expected to land soon in Hindon."

"Thanks to the efforts of our Embassy @India_in_Iran and Indian medical team there, operating under challenging conditions. Thank you @IAF_MCC. Appreciate cooperation of Iranian authorities. We are working on the return of other Indians stranded there (sic)," Jaishankar added.

The IAF aircraft landed at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad from where the passengers were taken to a medical facility.

As maintained by latest reports, 237 people have lost their lives of coronavirus in Iran while the number of cases stands at the region of 7,000.

This is the second evacuation by the C-17 Globemaster in the last few weeks.

Last month, 76 Indians and 36 foreigners were brought back to India from Wuhan by the aircraft of the IAF.

The C-17 Globemaster is the biggest military aircraft in the IAF’s listing. The aircraft can carry large combat equipment, troops and humanitarian aid across long distances in all weather conditions.

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