Kochi: A total of 44 Keralite nurses, from the first batch of Indian nurses from strife-torn Libya, have arrived to Kochi from Dubai on August 5 at 3.30 am.

According to the Airport officials, the nurses working in various hospitals in Libya, were they were brought by bus from Tunisia to Dubai.

Out of 58 nurses, 44 had reached Tunisia from Tripoli two days ago, while other batch of 43 nurses had reached Tunisian border.

On August 1, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had also written to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking the union government to arrange flight to help nurses reach their destination.

It is recalled that previous month, 46 nurses who were held captive by ISIS militants in Iraq had finally returned to their hometown by a special Air India Flight, after a month long struggle.