A batch of Indians onboard a small craft which is ferrying them from Aden Port to INS Mumbai (Photo courtesy: Indian Navy)
The evacuation of stranded Indians from Aden Port in Yemen was carried out in almost war-like conditions, the Navy said today.
INS Mumbai, one of the warships sent to Yemen for rescue operations, was unable to enter the port due to the security situation, and waited at the anchorage area of the port.
The warship hired 12 small crafts which were used to move 30-35 Indians at a time from the port to INS Mumbai. 439 people were rescued by INS Mumbai today, including a pregnant woman, who was treated onboard the ship.
With the rescue operation over, the ship has set sail for Djibouti across the Red Sea, from where the evacuated people will be flown back to India.
Meanwhile, INS Sumitra has been unable to rescue any Indian nationals from Al Mukalla port, which has been overrun by Al Qaeda terrorists.
Nearly 2000 Indians have been rescued so far from the strife-torn country, with over 800 just today. Nearly 3000 Indians are still estimated to be in Yemen.
Last night, over 660 Indian nationals rescued from Yemen arrived home by two Indian Air Force planes and a special Air India flight.
A fierce battle has been going on in Yemen between Saudi-led coalition and Shiite rebels, who have battled their way into the heart of Aden, Yemen's main southern city.