Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1 (IANS): The first batch of 58 of the total 252 Kerala nurses working in Libya who have registered to return home are on their way to the Tunisian border, a state government official said here Friday.
Speaking to IANS, P. Sudeep, chief executive officer of Norka (the state agency that looks after the welfare of non-resident Keralites) said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy spoke to them Friday around 11.30 a.m. (IST) before they started their bus journey.
"The total journey time is close to five hours and an Indian embassy official is accompanying the nurses. After dropping the 58 nurses, the bus will return to Tripoli and bring 48 more nurses to the Tunisian border where the Indian embassy officials have arranged accommodation," he said.
The dates for return of the remaining 146 nurses have not been fixed, he said.
Sudeep also said Chandy has got in touch with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and requested a special flight be arranged to bring back the nurses from the Tunisian border.
"Arrangements are being worked out to move out the remaining Kerala nurses who have registered with us, seeking our help in returning home," said Sudeep.