Kochi:
The first batch of 43 Keralite nurses, stranded in strife torn Libya, arrived in Kochi today.
The nurses, working in various hospitals in Libya, had reached Tunisia, from where they reached Dubai to take the scheduled flight to Kochi, CEO of Non-Resident Keralite Affairs department (NoRKA) P Sudeep told PTI. (
Read: Indian Nurses Freed from Iraq Reach Kochi, Reunite With Families)
58 had reached Tunisia from Tripoli two days ago, of which 43 reached today.
While three nurses are expected to arrive by another flight, the remaining are expected to reach Kerala on Wednesday. (
Also read: Back Home, Kerala Nurses Fear Loan Sharks More Than ISIS)
The state government will be giving a cash assistance of Rs 2,000 each to the nurses for their onward journey from here, he added. (
Read: Oommen Chandy Seeks Support for Nurses Evacuated from Iraq and Libya)
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on August 1 wrote to the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking the Centre's help in arranging flight for facilitating the return of the nurses. (
Bring Back Nurses Stranded in Libya, Kerala Chief Minister Tells Foreign Minister)
Fighting between rival militias in Tripoli over the past three weeks and bloody clashes between Islamists and army in the eastern city of Benghazi have prompted several countries to evacuate their nationals and diplomatic staff.
Last month, forty six nurses, who were held captive by ISIS militants in Iraq, returned home by a special Air India Flight bringing an end to their about month long trauma. (
Grit And Determination of 46 Nurses Helped: Oommen Chandy)