India begins evacuating citizens via Armenia as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies
India has started evacuating its citizens from Iran through the Armenian border, according to an Indian student who spoke to THE WEEK from interior Iran.
“The first group of Indian students from Urmia University of Medical Sciences (UUMS) was evacuated from the Armenia border last night,” said the student, who requested not to be named. “It might be our turn tomorrow or the day after.” The Urmia is located in Iran’s West Azerbaijan region.
The student said that five Indians, two Lebanese, one Australian and one Nigerian student were injured when an Israeli missile struck a residential building just one block away from the international student dormitories.
“The explosion was so powerful it killed several civilians, including children,” he said. “Some of us helped with rescue efforts and took the injured to the hospital.” After the incident, the university arranged for the relocation of students to a safer location in northern Iran.
Thousands of Indians are currently stranded in Iran due to the growing conflict between Iran and Israel. Among them are hundreds of students, 1,500 from Kashmir, most of whom are studying medicine at various Iranian universities.
Yesterday, the Indian Embassy in Tehran relocated Indian students from various universities to secure locations.
According to students who spoke to THE WEEK, the embassy organised buses in the morning to move them. All Indian students, including those from Kashmir, boarded the buses from Gate No 2, Velenjak. This included students from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, whether living in hostels or private apartments. The embassy had made it clear that no Indian student should remain in the boys’ or girls’ hostels or private accommodations.
Tensions escalated between Iran and Israel after Israel conducted strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations and also assassinated several members of its military leadership and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated by firing hundreds of missiles into Israel, causing widespread damage to key military installations and infrastructure.
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