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Canadians stranded in a quarantined Chinese city were told Wednesday that a flight set to bring them home was delayed, leaving them stranded in the epicentre of the new coronavirus for another day.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said weather events forced the delay.

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“There is a narrow window given by the Chinese for flights into Wuhan and the weather conditions were such that the plane could not take off,” Trudeau explained as he entered a Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning in Ottawa.

“So everything is delayed by a day. We’re hoping to have these families back on Friday,” Trudeau added.

“We understand for loved ones here in Canada with families over there that it’s extremely difficult but we’re doing everything we can to get them home.”

Government officials said the delay would put off the return home of the Canadians by about 21 hours.

The flight was supposed to leave Wuhan early Thursday morning local time, but an email from the Canadian Embassy announced it would be delayed to the evening.