By Nazli Yuzbasioglu
ANKARA (AA) - Another 1,635 Turkish citizens, who wanted to return Turkey but were unable to because of canceled flights due to the novel coronavirus, were brought back from Algeria, the country’s deputy foreign minister said on Sunday.
"We brought our 1,635 citizens in Algeria to our country as a result of extraordinary efforts and meticulous operation despite the harsh conditions in the country [Algeria],” Yavuz Selim Kiran said in a Twitter post.
Also, Kiran thanked Turkey's Ambassador to Algeria Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas and Turkish Airlines.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey had brought more than 20,000 citizens from 50 countries as part of measures against the virus.
Turkey places evacuees under a 14-day quarantine after being brought back from abroad as part of measures against the spread of coronavirus.
Since appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 181 countries and regions.
Data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University shows worldwide infections surpassing 1.2 million with over 64,800 deaths. More than 247,800 people have recovered.
*Writing by Seda Sevencan