Yemen crisis: Over 4000 Indians rescued so far; air evacuation to end today

The total number of Indian evacuees from war-ravaged Yemen crossed 4000 after nearly 700 nationals, including 600 from Sanaa, were rescued in three air sorties on Wednesday. The government has decided to end the air evacuation operation.

On Tuesday night, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin shared the information on microblogging site Twitter. He tweeted, "We will end air evacuation efforts from Sana'a tomorrow, 8th April."

Akbaruddhi also added that Indians who want to avail the evacuation facilities should leave today and spread the word about this development.

In a series of tweets, Syed Akbaruddin added that India had accepted Pakistan's offer to fly back from Karachi by a special plane those 11 Indians evacuated by Pakistani naval ship from Yemen.

India accepts Pakistan's offer to fly back from Karachi by special plane 11 Indians evacuated by Pakistani naval ship from Yemen.

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 7, 2015

While the air evacuation ends today, the government may continue the evacuation by sea for some more time.

India's evacuation efforts from Yemen enter final phase - Happy faces all around in the Control Room at Djibouti. pic.twitter.com/6XfBwYuspg

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 8, 2015

Sending back more than 1100 back through 5 aircraft. Not many left in Sana'a now. pic.twitter.com/l9hZb4AF8x

— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) April 7, 2015

Was at Sana'a again today to assess ground situation. Along with our own we evacuated 90 plus foreign nationals. pic.twitter.com/6VbN17HhyM

— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) April 7, 2015

Meanwhile, 232 persons from 26 countries were evacuated by India. Countries that have sought India's assistance in evacuating its nationals from the war-ravaged country, include, USA, France, Germany, Sweden, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iraq among others.

232 persons from 26 countries evacuated by India from Yemen. Efforts continuing. pic.twitter.com/kFajqxEfhz

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 7, 2015

Evacuated foreign nationals thanked India for their rescue efforts.

Speaking to ANI, an evacuated Bangladeshi national said, "The Indian government has saved our life," adding that the India's rescue mission will not be forgotten by them.

Appreciating India's rescue efforts, an Ireland national said, "We cannot thank the Indian government enough for getting us out of Yemen."

A British national evacuated by Air India too expressed appreciation for the effort.

Germany's Ambassador in New Delhi Michael Steiner expressed his thanks to India after the country's security forces helped rescue stranded German nationals.

Taking to Twitter, Steiner especially thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the same.

India helped evacuate also Germans out of Yemen. Thank you India! @narendramodi @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj

— Michael Steiner (@Amb_MSteiner) April 7, 2015

A day ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the "seamless" operation by various government departments to evacuate Indians as also several non-Indians from strife-torn Yemen.

Yemen has been witnessing fierce battle between Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Shiite Houthi rebels, who have battled their way into various cities in Yemen including in the former stronghold of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Hadi has fled overseas.