The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set in motion an airlift operation for evacuating hundreds of Indian nationals stranded in Juba, capital of South Sudan, where a week-long civil war has claimed a large number of lives.
Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA confirmed that the mission, comprising a heavy-lift Indian Air Force aircraft will reach Juba, on July 14 and will fly out after collecting Indian nationals on July 15. All rescued Indians will be brought to Delhi.
The Hindu has learnt that a C17 aircraft will carry out the operation. Though reliable sources in Juba have informed that the total number of stranded civilian Indians is around 300, some have suggested that it could be around 600. Apart from the civilians, around 2,500 Indians are deployed with the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The General takes charge again! 2 C-17s proceeding to Juba tomorrow with >@Gen_VKSingh leading evac'n frm South Sudan >pic.twitter.com/H48qiBJHad
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) >July 13, 2016
As per the preparation of the airlift, the Indian Embassy in Juba has alerted Indians about the evacuation plan. According to instruction posted on social media platforms, each Indian national has been asked to carry only 5 kg baggage at the time of boarding the aircraft. Priority boarding will be provided to women and children.
The success of this high-risk evacuation depends on security of the airspace over Juba. The airspace was shut for the first five days of the civil war, but sources informed The Hindu that emergency supply aircraft have been landing over the past 36 hours as the airspace has been reopened.
