60 Indian students stranded at Singapore airport arrive in Mumbai
The students left the Philippines and were on their way to India via Singapore when they were stopped at the Changi Airport by the Singapore government in wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Around 60 Indian students stranded at the Singapore International Airport in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak arrived in Mumbai on Thursday night.
The students, a majority of whom are from Maharashtra, arrived at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on a Singapore Airlines flight.
Around 40 students are from Maharashtra while the remaining are from other states.
“Most of the students are pursuing a medical course in the Philippines. They went to Singapore but had to spend one-and-a-half-day there as no flight was available for them to return to India,” a relative of one of the students said.
“The students are still in the plane. I spoke to some of them over the phone. We will come to know about their status once immigration checks and thermal screening are,” he added.
On March 17, foreign nationals and students were told by the authorities in the Philippines to leave the country within 72 hours as they were planning to shut down Ninoi Aquino International Airport in Manila.
However, when some 90 odd students tried to take a flight back to India via Singapore, they were stopped at the Changi Airport by the Singapore government owing to the fear of COVID-19 spreading in the country.
Relieved faces at check in!Over 90 Indian transit passengers stranded in Singapore due to travel restrictions in India are on their way home.
Quick response from Indian Gov to permit them to return; @IndiainSingapor officers at airport to assist with food, convenience and travel. pic.twitter.com/ipPOft0ZOq— India in Singapore (@IndiainSingapor) March 19, 2020
Flight operations have been disrupted all over the world in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which has hit more than 150 countries.
On Thursday, even India put restrictions on the landing of any commercial passenger aircraft on its soil from March 22. The restriction will remain in place for one week.
