Maldivian: Maldivians in Nepal expected to arrive tonight

National airline Maldivian has said that transport has been arranged for Maldivian students from Nepal to Maldives, on a flight which is expected to arrive in Maldives tonight.

Managing Director of Island Aviation Abdul Harish told Sun Online that the airline has still not been granted landing approval from Nepalese authorities.

Harish said that thus, arrangements have been made for Maldivians in Nepal to fly on a Bangladeshi airline to Dhaka, where they will be picked up by a Maldivian flight which will arrive in Maldives at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

He noted the cooperation and assistance in these efforts, from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and High Commission of Bangladesh in the Maldives.

Nepalese authorities have said that aircraft carrying supplies are prioritised at the moment when issuing landing approval.

There are about 100 Maldivian students in Nepal, and Foreign Ministry has assured that they are all in good condition.

According to the United Nations, the death toll has risen above 4,000 and 8 million people have been affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake which hit Nepal on Saturday.