Firing on in Tikrit but Indian nurses are safe: MEA

New Delhi: There has been instances of bombing and firing in the vicinity where 46 Indian nurses have taken refuge from the ISIS militants in Iraq's Tikrit, said Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday.

MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, however, assured that all the nurses were safe, adding that efforts were on to rescue them.

"There has been bombing and firing in the vicinity of the building they have sought refuge in basement. We have informed the Iraqi government about them. No further details on that. They are safe," said Akbaruddin.

He further added that 1000 Indian nationals have indicated that they wanted to return to India.

The MEA is in process of flying as many as 600 Indians back to their home land this week.