Kochi: Sailors of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan and Iranian nationals who had been staying in Kerala after the ship docked at Kochi departed for Armenia on a chartered flight from Cochin International Airport.
According to airport sources, 107 sailors and 33 Iranian citizens left Kochi on Friday evening on a special aircraft arranged by the Iranian authorities. The chartered flight, which arrived from Colombo, departed around 7 pm for Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
The passengers were transported to the airport under security arrangements with logistical assistance from Indian authorities after completing immigration and other formalities.
The Iranian naval vessel had docked at Kochi Port earlier this month after India permitted the ship to enter the port. The crew and accompanying Iranian nationals had been staying in Kochi for several days before arrangements were made for their onward travel.
Officials said the departure of the sailors and civilians marks the conclusion of their temporary stay in Kerala following the vessel’s visit to Kochi.
