Authorities in Nepal have allowed a number of special flights at the request of foreign embassies to evacuate stranded foreigners from the country. Around 7000 foreigners are estimated to be stuck in Nepal. 

Nepal had banned all international flights for a week following a deadly surge in coronavirus infections. However, the country extended the ban on flights this week. Stranded foreigners, mostly tourists, approached their embassies, which then arranged special flights for them. 

“We have allowed a few evacuation flights based on the request of foreign embassies in Nepal,” said Rajan Pokhrel, the director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The US embassy in Kathmandu has arranged three special flights on 16, 17, and 25 May to evacuate its nationals. 

Several countries had banned flights from India following which Indians started taking flights from Kathmandu to bypass the ban. However, when Nepal suspended international flights, many of them got stranded there. 

The Nepalese government has allowed the Indian embassy to evacuate its citizens. In addition to that, seven airlines will ferry 2000 Saudi-bound Indian workers to the Gulf country. 

Furthermore, authorities in Nepal expect 5000 more tourists, who are currently on different trekking routes, who would wish to return to their respective countries in the coming weeks.