Darjeeling, 15th April: Acting on the protocols of the Ministry of Home Affairs to take foreign tourists back to their country, 2 Spanish and 2 Portuguese citizens were evacuated from Darjeeling on a bus today. Reportedly, they will be taken to Delhi by road after which a chartered plane will fly them to their respective countries.
Police maintained that they had been stranded in Darjeeling for about two months and were tourists that stayed in the town for research work. The tourists apparently did not return before the lockdown thinking that it would end soon but unfortunately, the government extended the lockdown period.
It was also said that more such tourists are stranded in Darjeeling and the process to send them back is also being initiated. Earlier 2 Spanish and 1 Australian nationals were also evacuated from Darjeeling.
During this, a rumor also spread around the town claiming that the aforementioned bus had brought foreigners into the town amid the pandemic. Police strongly condemned the rumor and maintained that stringent action will be taken against those spreading it.