A Tanzanian official has become the first foreign diplomat to die of COVID-19 pandemic in India. The High Commission of Tanzania has announced that Col. Dr. Moses Beatus Mlula, Defence Adviser of Tanzania, died on April 28 at the Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt.
It was learnt that the diplomat was rushed to one of the largest private hospitals in the capital on April 27 but could not be admitted because of heavy rush of patients. He was next taken to the Base Hospital where he passed away the next day.
The High Commission opened a condolence book that was left open till Monday. The announcement comes in the backdrop of reports of growing number of COVID-19 infections within the diplomatic community in the capital.
Over the weekend, the missions of New Zealand and the Philippines sought oxygen support from the Indian Youth Congress. This was followed by the Ministry of External Affairs announcing that the Indian side was providing necessary medical support to the diplomats based here.
Certain countries have begun to evacuate diplomats on health grounds. The government of Thailand had sent an air ambulance last week to evacuate several diplomats.
