Indians evacuated from Yemen return to Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, June 10(ANI): Indians evacuated from Yemen returned to Kerala on Friday, as civil violence soared in the middle-eastern nation.

The Indian authorities had made elaborate arrangements to fly people back, even as they conducted rescue operations in Yemen.

"The (Kerala) state and Central governments are rescuing Keralites from Yemen. 50 people arrived at Mumbai airport today," Non Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) General Manager K.T. Balabhasker said.

In order to help the evacuees return home safely, authorities set up a control room in the Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office to coordinate with a special team from NORKA.

"We are providing all facilities to the people returning from Yemen. A special control room has been set up in Chief Minister's office to coordinate with NORKA. 39 families returned at Kochi airport today evening," Kerala Transport Minister V. S. Sivakumar said.

As per an estimate, about 8,000 people from Kerala work in Yemen.

Violent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces are spreading fast in Yemen, where people are demanding the end of the 33-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. (ANI)