India evacuates 211 students from Italy

Aspecial Air India flight carrying 211 Indian students, departed from Italy onSaturday (IST). The students were stuck in Italy after flights were cancelleddue to coronavirus outbreak.

Italyon Saturday reported 175 deaths from coronavirus, raising the toll to 1,411. TheWHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and stated that Europe is thenew epicentre of the lethal virus.

"211 students & 7 compassionate cases departed by AI flight #Milan.all those who helped us through this difficult situation. Special to @airindiain team & Italian authorities. Consulate will continue to ensure welfare of all Indians in northern #Italy," Indian Consulate in Milan tweeted.

211 students & 7 compassionate cases departed by AI flight #Milan.🙏all those who helped us through this difficult situation. Special 🙏to @airindiain team & Italian authorities. Consulate will continue to ensure welfare of all Indians in northern #Italy @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/eTX6GXHWCf

— India in Milan (@CGIMilan) March 14, 2020

Earlier,Air India had announced the cancellation of all flights to Kuwait and Italytill April 30. India has carried out evacuations from China, Japan and Iran inthe past few weeks as the number of cases of coronavirus continues to rise inthese countries.