Srinagar, Mar 14: The evacuation of Indian medical students from Iran has started, with the first batch of around 101 students expected to arrive in India on March 15.
According to updates shared by the All India Medical Students Association, the students will depart from Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, at 1.25 AM. The group will travel through Dubai before reaching India. The flight carrying the students is expected to land in Mumbai at 4.15 AM and in New Delhi at 9.55 AM.
Most students in the first batch are studying at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.
The evacuation schedule saw changes after some earlier flights were cancelled. A flight that was expected to reach Mumbai on March 14 and another scheduled for March 17 were cancelled, which forced authorities to revise the travel plan for the students.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, National Vice President of the All India Medical Students Association, said he remains in constant contact with the stranded students and is monitoring the situation closely. He has also shared his contact details with several students to assist them during the evacuation process and coordinate with authorities when required.
Students from different cities in Iran are being moved towards exit points in phases. Several students from Isfahan and Arak are still in their hostels and have urged the association to raise their concerns so that their relocation process can be sped up.
Meanwhile, a group of students from Islamic Azad University and Iran University of Medical Sciences, including those shifted earlier from Tehran, has reached Azerbaijan as part of the evacuation route. Others are still travelling towards the border.
Another group has already reached Tabriz after travelling from Qom. They stayed there overnight and are now moving towards the Armenia border to join the evacuation process.
Students from Kerman were moved to Qom on the evening of March 13. Students from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences are also present there and are waiting for further arrangements to leave the country.
The association said it is tracking the movement of students across different Iranian cities and remains in touch with them to ensure their safe return to India.
