22 Indians stuck in Libya set to return

Hoshiarpur, The process to evacuate Indians stuck in a factory in Tripoli, Libya, has finally started. Twenty-two of them will soon reach Delhi from Tunisia in a flight arranged by the Indian Embassy in Libya.

Their plight was brought to the fore by The Tribune in its editions dated September 5 and September 15. After that, the Indian Embassy got in touch with them and they have been now sent to Tunisia. A safe passage for them was arranged to Yarba in Iran through sea and then by bus to Tunis, capital of Tunisia.

Eight Indians were stuck in a factory in Tripoli while others were stuck elsewhere. The factory closed down due to violence and the worsening situation in that country caused unrest among them. They were desperate to return to India.

However, the company for which they were working was not ready to let them go. Company officials told them that they could go back only after their work contract was over. They were on the verge of starvation with no medical or emergency services available to them. After their plight was highlighted by The Tribune in its September 5 edition, the matter was taken up by Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Indian Embassy then contacted them and arranged for their evacuation via Tunisia.

Initially, it was planned that they would be sent to Tunisia by road. The road, however, remained blocked for many days. Embassy officials then took them to Yarba via ship and from there they boarded a bus to Tunis.

Gurpreet said, “We are thankful to the Indian Government and the Indian Embassy. We could never pay off for what they have done for us. Embassy officials arranged for us entry visa for Iran and Tunisia. Soon, we will board a flight to India.”

The effort

They have been sent to Tunisia by arranging a safe passage to Yarba (Iran) through sea and then to Tunis by bus
They will soon be sent to India in a flight arranged by the Indian Embassy