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Australian citizen dies in India

A senate committee has been told an Australian has died in India, though it is not clear if they died of Covid-19.

Barry O'Farrell, Australia's High Commissioner to India, confirmed an Australian permanent resident had died in the country currently grappling with a devastating second wave of Covid.

No further comment regarding the death was made by Mr O'Farrell, though he said it was not clear if the Australian died of the virus, NCA Newswire reported.

India reported 414,188 confirmed cases in 24 hours on Friday, a new record.

Pictured is a person standing next to the bodies of those who have died of Covid-19 in India
A family member wearing a personal protective equipment stand next to the bodies of those who have died from the coronavirus in India. Source: Sipa USA via AAP

Its total tally has risen to more than 21.4 million since the pandemic began.

The Health Ministry also reported 3915 additional deaths, bringing the total to 234,083. Experts believe both figures are an undercount.

Given the severity of the outbreak in India, Mr O'Farrell said he did not believe anyone could say Australian citizens or permanent residents are not among the dead.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne extended sympathy from herself and on behalf of the government to the Australian and their family, saying she will receive further advice relating to the death.

Australia to resume flights from India

Australia barred people returning home from India amid the second outbreak.

Around 9000 Australians are trapped in the country, with 950 of them considered to be vulnerable.

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly warned some could die as a result of the flight pause, which he recommended was necessary to stop quarantine from being overwhelmed.

However, on Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the pause would come to an end on May 15.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference at the CPO in Sydney, Friday, May 7, 2021.
Australia will allow flights from India from May 15, after all flights were barred. Source: AAP

There will be three flights this month to bring back the most urgent cases.

All arrivals will be quarantined at the Northern Territory's Howard Springs mining camp where capacity is set to increase to 2000 beds.

People found to have coronavirus in a pre-flight test will be denied the right to board planes.

"That is a clear port of entry requirement. We will be holding the line on that," Mr Morrison said.

With AAP

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