Three Indians missing in Lebanon, one Lankan dead

New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) Three Indian nationals were missing in Lebanon and one was injured after Israeli jets pounded the Eastern Bekaa valley today even as the government prepared to evacuate another 1000 people from the war zone and deployed four ships to bring them back home.

Already 49 people were evacuated on July 17.

A Sri Lankan national and a Sudanese were also among the 55 civilians killed in Israeli air raids today, the 'Daily Star' newspaper of Lebanon said.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed told UNI that the government was trying to confirm the reports that three Indians had gone missing and one was wounded in an Israeli air strike on a glass factory at Satura in Eastern Bekaa valley.

''We have information that a glass factory was hit after which three Indians went missing and one was wounded,'' the Minister said.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman, Navtej Sarna also said there were reports of three Indians having gone missing. However, the reports could not be confirmed, he said.

Earlier, Reuters said three Indian workers were among 49 civilians killed in fresh casualties in the battle-scarred nation.

'The Daily Star' newspaper of Lebanon said at least 55 civilians were killed and scores wounded in Israeli raids across Lebanon today. These included a Sri Lankan and a Sudanese national who were killed at Nabatiyeh in Southern Lebanon.

More than 300 people, mostly civilians, have been killed and hundreds wounded during the past eight days of Israeli military action.

The reports about three Indians going missing came in even as India said it was evacuating about 1000 people from Lebanon and 1000 to 2000 people, half of them students, from the Northern part of Israel to the relatively safer South.

Mr Ahamed said earlier that XXX Picking up eighth para of DI 95, External--Lebanon-Second Lead Indians.

UNI RB YA DB2200