Taiwan is in talks with Japan to send a charter plane to take Taiwanese home from the Diamond Princess in Yokohoma, Japan. The cruise ship has the biggest cluster of COVID-19 patients outside of China. On Monday, Japanese authorities said the number on the ship infected with the virus was 454. That’s among the 3,700 passengers and crew on board.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said that the Taiwanese on the ship want to come home. Officials are in talks with Japan and are working out technical issues. She said the details could not be revealed at this time.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said that they have already applied to send a charter plane to take Taiwan citizens home. They are waiting for cases to be confirmed. The original plan was to evacuate Taiwanese citizens on Wednesday, but since two citizens still need to be tested for the virus, the plan will be delayed a few days.
A Taiwan tourist on board said that there are 20 Taiwanese citizens on board and another 10 to 15 Taiwanese who also hold US or Japanese passports.
The US has evacuated more than 300 Americans from aboard the ship while Canada, Italy and Hong Kong are also sending charter flights for their citizens.