A pensioner stranded in Goa claims his pleas for help in getting home are being ignored.

James Jeffery, from Ramsgate, travelled to India in December, but his flights back to the UK, booked for March 26, were cancelled as the coronavirus situation worsened.

The 71-year-old, who is with two elderly travel companions, says they have repeatedly tried contacting the Indian airline in charge of running charter flights to repatriate thousands of stranded Brits, but have had no response.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced last month the government would be making £75 million available for flights to priority countries, including India, to help the most vulnerable travellers get home.

It is expected a total of some 15,000 people will be transported back to the UK from India on 59 flights chartered by the government.

But Mr Jeffery says they are losing hope of being one of those getting on a plane.

"The situation is getting a bit desperate now as we have no idea what's happening," he said.

"That's the worry - that we haven't had any response from anyone even though people are supposed to be getting repatriated.

"If we could get flights we'd book them ourselves, but we can't which is why we're trying to speak to someone who can help us.

"We've tried the airline, the government website and my friend is trying the Indian embassy."

Mr Jeffrey, who is travelling with two other people in their seventies, one of whom is disabled, says they have no way of knowing when or how they are going to get back.

"All we want is a response," he said.

"It's not that we've been forgotten, they just don't seem to know that we're here."

His son Jason Jeffery, from Ramsgate, says he just wants his dad home.

"We're hearing that thousands of people are being repatriated, but who exactly are they repatriating if a group of vulnerable people like this aren't able to get home?" he said.

"It's a worrying situation as they are getting no response from anyone. I know he's ok at the moment, but I'll feel a lot happier once he's booked on a plane and back home."

On Thursday, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced seven further charter flights to bring more than 2,000 stranded British travellers home from India.

A spokesman said seats on the planes will be allocated to those who have already registered via the government’s online booking portal CTM.

Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, said: "This fifth round of flights brings the total number of planes we have organised from India to 59.

"There have been daily departures from across the country for weeks, which have helped thousands of people get back to their friends and families in the UK.

"My team and I will continue to do all we can to support British people who remain in India."

People in India can call the High Commission on +91 (11) 2419 2100 and from the UK on 020 7008 1500.

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