Last Batch Of Malaysians Stranded In Jammu And Kashmir To Arrive Home Monday

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The remaining 17 Malaysians who were stranded by the flood in India's Jammu and Kashmir state, are set to arrive home Monday. In a statement here Sunday, the foreign ministry said Malaysia Airlines (MAS) confirmed that 16 passengers would depart New Delhi, India Sunday night and were expected to arrive at the KL International Airport (KLIA) at 6.55am on Monday. "The 17th member of the group will be flying out by Malindo Air," it added. It said the last batch of Malaysians were transported out of the affected area by the Indian Army to the governor’s residence on Saturday. "From thereon, they were airlifted to Srinagar Airport and then to New Delhi by commercial flight. They reached New Delhi last night and were received and assisted by officials from the Malaysian High Commission," said the statement. It said the Malaysian Government expressed its deepest condolences to the Indian Government over the loss of its citizens, in what was declared by the Indian Government as a national disaster. "The Malaysian Government also wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the Indian Government for the assistance rendered in the rescue mission where all its citizens were rescued," it added. A total of 59 Malaysians were stranded in the Himalayan region, which is currently going through the worst flood in the last 60 years. It has so far, claimed more than 250 lives. --BERNAMA