The Centre is considering the possibility of airlifting stranded Indians, including Keralites, from strife-torn Yemen, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has informed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Swaraj has informed the state that two ships have been sent to Yemen to rescue the Indians, including Malayalees, who have been stranded in that country.

But the ships would take five days to reach their destination. In such a situation, the possibility of airlifting the people was also being discussed, for which the Saudi Government has been approached, the Union Minister said, according to an official release issued here.

Chandy also spoke with several families of Keralites in Yemen over the phone yesterday. Passports of most of them were being detained. The Indian Embassy in Yemen has intervened in this matter, the release said.

“If they don’t get their passports, exit passes will be issued to them and will be brought back to India. They will be given another passport. Embassy has also intervened in the matter related to the release of salary,” the release said.

Quoting Chandy, the release also said all Malayalee families in Yemen were safe.

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