First batch of Keralites arrive from Lebanon

Kochi, July 22 (UNI) The first batch of nine Keralites and one person from Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu, evacuated from war-torn Lebanon, arrived here this morning by two flights from Mumbai and later left for their native places.

Officials of the Non-Resident Keralite Affairs (NORKA) department here told UNI eight people arrived by Air India's flight AI690 at 0415 hrs. and two by Jet Airways' 9W405 at 0750 hrs. at the Nedumbaserry International Airport consisted of six men and four women.

''They were looking tired but also relieved. All of them were feeling fit to travel so they left for their native places.

None of them needed any medical assistance,'' district officials said.

The people, who returned here this morning were Babu Francis and Baiju Jacob from Ernakulam district, Lalitha, Usha Giri Babu, Jessy Angelina Gomez and Baby Bhaskaran from Thiruvananthapuram, Babu P R from Kottayam, Krishnan Kutty from Pathnamthitta, J M A Jinnah from Kannyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and Yusuf Ahmed K from Kannur.

They were received at the airport by officials of NORKA and the district administration.

The district administration had set up two aid posts -- one each at the Nedumabserry Airport and Ernakulam Junction -- to give assistance to the evacuees.

These aid posts were equipped with medical and transportation facilities and police assistance. Temporary accommodation would also be arranged in collaboration with the Public Works Department, if necessary, district officials said.

UNI ARC AJ LS BD1245