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Indian Air Force flies 450 oxygen cylinders from UK to Chennai, 450 more to arrive 

WION
CHENNAIWritten By: Sidharth MPUpdated: May 04, 2021, 12:38 PM IST
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A file photo of oxygen containers. Photograph:(WION)

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The IAF aircraft had gone from Jamnagar Airbase on Sunday to Brize Norton in the UK to lift critical life support equipment. The aircraft flew non-stop for 11.5 hours to reach the UK.  

An Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster transport aircraft carrying 35 tonnes of aid including 450 oxygen cylinders, each with a capacity of 46.6 litres, landed in Chennai airport on Tuesday morning.

The cylinders were donated by the British Oxygen Company (BOC) and were consigned to the Indian Red Cross Society in Chennai. 

After the cargo was unloaded, the first C-17 took off by around 7:45 am. Chennai Airport authorities said that they had facilitated the smooth movement of the IAF aircraft. 

Indian Air Force

The IAF aircraft had gone from Jamnagar Airbase on Sunday to Brize Norton in the UK to lift critical life support equipment. The aircraft flew non-stop for 11.5 hours to reach the UK.   

Indian Air Force

The massive four-engine, T-tailed aircraft landed at the city’s International airport at 5:15 am, following which Chennai Customs facilitated a speedy cargo clearance within half an hour. Another load of 450 cylinders is expected to arrive in the city via another IAF C-17 transport aircraft in the afternoon. 

“Showcasing the potential of Indo-British partnership to fight the pandemic. An IAF aircraft carrying 450 oxygen cylinders arrives in Chennai (India). Grateful to the UK for the support,” tweeted Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson of India’s External Affairs Ministry. 

The 5,000 cylinder aid provided by the British Oxygen Company comes at a time when India is ramping up efforts in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic second wave that is raging across the country.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital city witnessed an all-time high of 6,150 covid cases on Monday, whereas Tamil Nadu saw 20,952 cases. Active cases in the state are at 123,000.

Global help and support have been pouring in over the last few weeks in the form of PPE kits, raw material for vaccine production and ventilators, among others.