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INS Magar, the second Indian Naval ship to reach Male in Maldives for evacuation of Indian citizens, has departed Male after completing embarkation of personnel.

Indian Navy as part of Operation Samudra Setu under the Vande Bharat Mission has deployed INS Magar for second phase of repatriation of Indian citizens from Maldives.

In the first phase, INS Jalashwa had evacuated a total of 698 Indian nationals stranded in the Maldives on Sunday.

Even as heavy rains at Male made conditions difficult, the ship made arrangements to ensure safety of people.

A total of 202 personnel have embarked the ship, which includes 24 women, two expectant mothers and two children.

One of the men, who hails from Tamil Nadu, has a fractured leg.

In line with the procedure followed on May 8 last, the evacuees were screened medically, their baggage disinfected and were allotted IDs as per various zones earmarked on board the ship.

INS Magar departed Male on Sunday evening for Kochi on completion of embarkation.

This was informed in a PIB (Defence Wing) press release.