Hundreds of Yemen evacuees on Tuesday expressed their gratitude towards the Indian government and the Indian embassy for ensuring their timely rescue from the war-torn country.
"The embassy has helped us a lot. The situation is not the best there right now," said Mohan, an Indian who was stranded in Yemen.
"The situation is still dangerous there. Thanks to the Indian government that we are here," said another Indian who was brought back home.
While one evacuee thanked the Government of India and the embassy for supporting them financially, another expressed pride at the Indian Air Force's rescue operations.
One rescued Indian national, however, added, "We have been in Yemen for 34 years and have seen how terrifying war is. It's not just a three letter word."
Meanwhile, the coordinator of the evacuation operation, T. Singh said, "Around 1,700 Indians have been evacuated from Sana'a. We have also rescued people on humanitarian grounds."
Three Air India flights flew 574 passengers out of Yemen's Sana'a, while INS Mumbai evacuated 474 from Al Hudaydah port yesterday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier on Monday lauded the defence officials and all other government organisations, which contributed to the rescue work.
He also praised External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for External Affairs General (retired) Singh for their efforts, expressing happiness that the Indian forces rescued other nationals as well.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier confirmed that 488 Indians had been evacuated from Sana'a, while a further 182 were rescued from coastal town, Ash Shihr.
This followed the rescue of 439 Indians by INS Mumbai from Yemen 's port city Aden on Saturday.
