Seven Nepalis rescued from Lebanon returning home

Seven Nepalis, who were rescued from Lebanon amidst Israeli attacks, are on their way home via India.

One of the seven rescued Nepalis landed in the Indian capital New Delhi while others arrived in Mumbai Friday midnight, reports said. The seven Nepalis are scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu by Saturday evening.

Samjhana Tiwari, Shree Prasad Gurung, Lok Bahadur Thapa, Anju Gurung, Manamaya Gurung, Tariq Siblini and Aruna Devi Adhikari were flown in by two special Air India flights from Laranca, Cyprus, at around 6:30 p.m Nepali time on Friday along with 608 Indian and Sri Lankans.

There are no authentic reports of the condition of some 4,000 Nepalis living in Lebanon where Israel has mounted missile attacks on major Hezbollah installations.

Nepalis and Sri Lankans were picked up by an Indian naval ship from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, Thursday evening and were taken to the nearest airport in Larnaca from where they were airlifted to Mumbai and New Delhi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that it has requested the Indian government and the international community for rescue of Nepalis in Lebanon. India has given its word. The next batch of rescue will be on Monday.

The Nepali Embassy in Egypt, which also oversees diplomatic relations with Lebanon, has said about 50 Nepalis have contacted the embassy asking for help for their safe return to Nepal.

In an indication of further attacks, Israel on Friday asked all foreigners to leave Lebanon. nepalnews.com ia July 22 06