As many as 278 stranded Indians were evacuated from Port Sudan by INS Sumedha and brought to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on the first day of ‘Operation Kaveri’ launched by India.

The government informed that it had deployed another naval ship, INS Teg, to evacuate more Indians to Jeddah from where they will be flown back to India.

Taking to Twitter, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wrote, “First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under #OperationKaveri. INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah.”

He further said, “INS Teg joins #OperationKaveri. Arrives at Port Sudan with additional officials and essential relief supplies for stranded Indians. Will boost ongoing evacuation efforts by Embassy Camp Office at Port Sudan.”

Meanwhile, the government had set up a control room in Jeddah to facilitate evacuation efforts.