"First Batch of Indians Evacuated from Sudan"

The first group of stranded Indians in Sudan have departed Port Sudan on INS Sumedha bound for Jeddah. The ship carried 278 passengers and is expected to take about 12 hours to reach Jeddah where two Indian Air Force planes are waiting to bring the Indians back home. The use of navy ships and aircrafts is necessary since Sudan's airspace is closed. The Indian government is focused on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens in Sudan under 'Operation Kaveri'.