Stranded 304 French nationals evacuated from Nepal

KATHMANDU, March 27: A wide-body aircraft of the Qatar Airways has taken off carrying 304 French nationals including three children who were stranded in Nepal due to the nationwide lockdown.

Since all the domestic and international passenger flights remain suspended, they were rescued from Pokhara, Lukla and other parts of the country and airlifted to Kathmandu via Buddha Air and Tara Air by the Embassy of France in Nepal in coordination with the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Nepal.

According to the Tribhuvan International Airport, the aircraft took off at 11:50 am.

Two more special flights are scheduled for Saturday each chartered by the French and the German governments, according to TIA officials. The flights were permitted by the Civil Aviation of Authority at the request of the European Union.

Meanwhile, The US and the Australian and the South Korean governments are also evacuating their citizens from Nepal. However, the schedule of their chartered flights has been announced yet.

According to Nepal Tourism Board, around 2,000 foreign tourists who are stranded in various parts of Nepal are awaiting rescue.

…and they’re safely back at TIA Kathmandu. Thank you for your support @FranceInNepal @hello_CAANepal @hello_tourismnp @TIACAO2 #MoHA & the Tara Air/Yeti Airlines 🙏🙏🙏! pic.twitter.com/63UmwBq11y

— Yeti Airlines (@FlyYeti) March 26, 2020