KATHMANDU, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The majority of the over 1,000 foreign tourists stranded in different parts of Nepal after the Nepali government imposed nationwide lockdown last Tuesday have already left for their home countries after they were evacuated to the capital Kathmandu, the Nepal Tourism Board said Sunday.
Many foreign tourists who were visiting different parts of Nepal for trekking and tour activities were stranded after both domestic and international flights were suspended and surface travels were also suspended to prevent the spread of deadly COVID-19 disease.
During the last three days they were evacuated to capital Kathmandu and "most of the rescued foreigners have already departed for their home countries on chartered flights of Qatar Airways," Devendra K.C, general manager of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, told Xinhua on Sunday.
"Over 900 foreigners were repatriated on three separate chartered planes of Qatar Airways on Friday and Saturday."
The Tourism Board said that there are still a few foreigners stuck at Lukla, who will be brought to Kathmandu on Monday.
"Due to bad weather, three planned chartered flights could not take place to Lukla on Sunday," Nandini Lahe Thapa, senior director at the board told Xinhua on Sunday.
Since the Nepali government imposed lockdown, embassies of various countries had sent request to the Nepali government seeking approval for their rescue plans on different chartered planes.
Nepali travel trade entrepreneurs have created a new online platform where foreign tourists have been asked to notify about themselves to remain in touch with the tourism entrepreneurs and the embassies of concerned countries.
