Foreign tourists found self-isolating in Indian cave

Six foreign tourists, including a U.S. national, took refuge in a cave in the Indian state of Uttarakhand in an effort to self-isolate amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The tourists, four men and two women from France, Turkey, Ukraine, the United States and Nepal — were initially staying at a hotel, but ran out of money and took refuge in the cave so this was the reason behind this unorthodox method, to save money to supplement their stay during the widespread lockdown.

Police rescued them and were reportedly moved to a nearby ashram. Police said the group didn’t exhibit symptoms persistent to COVID-19. They were provided all required facilities for sustenance in the ashram, according to police.

Indian and foreign tourists have been banned from entering the state of Uttarakhand since March 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a state government order.

India is the world’s second most populous country and the fifth biggest economy, and there are fears that the country’s health systems would not be able to cope with a major outbreak of the virus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown on March 24, which came into effect from midnight.

Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for latest news and updates.