City
Epaper

US, Japan mull to evacuate citizens from Wuhan

By IANS | Updated: January 26, 2020 18:30 IST

Washington and Tokyo are chalking out plans to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed 56 lives so far, a media report said.

Open in App

A statement posted on the website of US Embassy in China on Sunday confirmed the plan to evaculate diplomats and US citizens in Wuhan.

The State Department is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the US Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States, it added.

An evacuation flight from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to San Francisco will depart on Tuesday, Nikkei Asian Review reported.

The statement said the flight was limited to private US citizens, and that "if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus."

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also said on Sunday that after his government finishes talks with Chinese authorities, it will bring back "all [Japanese citizens] that wish to return, and is looking at all possible means, such as chartered flights."

Abe said that the government has been asking Japanese residents in Wuhan if they want to leave the city. More than 700 Japanese nationals reside in Wuhan, according to Japan's foreign ministry.

The government is also considering evacuation by road from Hubei Province, and have Japanese nationals take flights home from other places, according to sources.

The Chinese government said on Sunday the death toll in the country from the coronavirus rose to 56 from 41 a day earlier, with 1,975 cases confirmed.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

AurangabadAspirants rush to clear tax dues, obtain NOCs ahead of candidature filing

NationalScene of bonhomie, light-hearted moments mark Lok Sabha Speaker’s tea party

CricketDasun Shanaka replaces Asalanka as Sri Lanka's T20I captain for World Cup

AurangabadHealth department reminded of organ donation

InternationalInqilab Moncho urges supporters not to heed to any "instructions or provocations" as body of Osman Hadi arrives in Bangladesh

स्वास्थ्य Realted Stories

HealthTraditional medicine can help restore balance in life, health, and work: PM Modi

HealthSilent dengue infections may hold clues to future vaccine design: Study

HealthBihar hijab row: Dr Nusrat Parveen to join duty tomorrow

HealthWorking to improve doctor-population ratio, says Haryana minister in Assembly

HealthDrinking Ajwain–Cumin Water for Fat Loss? One Mistake Could Be Life-Threatening, Warn Experts