Evacuatiom of Indians from Lebanon to begin today

New Delhi, July 20: As Israeli jets pounding the Eastern Bekaa valley in the war- torn Lebanon continued, the Indian government today started evacuating the first batch of 630 of its nationals from Beirut.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said some 1000 Indians were waiting for evacuation although the number of Indians in Beirut is estimated to be around 12000.

He said the first batch of Indians would be sailing in INS Mumbai to Nicosia from where they would travel to Larnaca by road.

An Air India special plane has been positioned at Larnaca to carry them back to India. These Indians were expected to reach Larnaca by tomorrow evening, Mr Ahamed told UNI this morning.

Describing the situation as very 'grave', Mr Ahamed said as and when formalities were completed, the other Indians also would be brought back soon. Already 49 people were evacuated on July 17.

He said only one Indian was found missing while three others, who were earlier reported missing, have been admitted to a hospital for treatment while the fourth one was found missing after an Israeli air strike on a glass factory at Satura in Eastern Bekaa valley.

''We have information that a glass factory, run by an Indian was hit after which three Indians went missing. It has been now confirmed that these three were now undergoing treatment at a hopsital while another one was missing," the Minister said.

Mr Ahamed said most of the Indians were natives of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and were working for long in Beirut as labourers.

He said the Indian Government was in touch with the Embassy officials at Damascus and have been instructed to take all steps to save the lives of the nationals.

UNI