Blackfire Posted April 25, 2023 Posted April 25, 2023 The first flight evacuating UK nationals has left Sudan, Downing Street says, with two more planned overnight It comes as the Foreign Office urged British nationals in the country to head to an airfield north of Khartoum It marks a change of advice from this morning when the Foreign Office told people not to head to the airbase until they were contacted It follows criticism from Brits stuck in Sudan who say they feel abandoned while other foreign nationals and embassy staff were flown out So far the EU has airlifted more than 1,000 of its citizens out, mainly on French and German rescue missions Many African countries have also got citizens out, but Kenyan students stuck in Khartoum tell the BBC they are desperate for help Rival military factions have been fighting for 10 days. A shaky ceasefire appears to be holding, although there have been reports of new gunfire and shelling Separately, the World Health Organization is warning of a "high risk of biological hazard" after a laboratory storing pathogens was seized Flight carrying everyone eligible who made it to airfield, Sunak says More from the interview with Rishi Sunak now, who says the first flight taking British citizens out of Sudan was carrying everyone who had travelled to the Khartoum airfield and was eligible for evacuation. Asked whether a lack of clarity in the UK's response could lead to empty seats on planes, the prime minister says: "It's exactly because we want to make sure that our evacuations are happening in an effective and safe manner that we decide how best to call people forward." He says this "evolves depending on the situation on the ground" and people are being contacted both directly and through a general call. Sunak also says he is not able to guarantee the long-term safety of the air route being used, given the volatility of the ceasefire. But he did tell broadcasters that other options were being considered. Sunak also says the government is working with allies to try to secure a more "sustained ceasefire" and restore civilian government in Sudan, which he says is the "best solution to avoid more humanitarian impact". Sunak defends UK approach and says many more flights to come Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the UK government's approach to getting British citizens out of Sudan, following criticism that the Foreign Office is failing those stuck in Khartoum. Speaking to broadcasters a little while ago, he also says there will be "many more" flights out of Sudan this evening and into tomorrow. Asked about the accusations of failing to help UK citizens, the prime minister says he is "pleased that we were actually one of the first countries to safely evacuate our diplomats and our families". He adds it is right that diplomats and their relatives were prioritised "because they were being targeted". Quote Message: The security situation on the ground in Sudan is complicated, it is volatile and we wanted to make sure we could put in place processes that are going to work for people, that are going to be safe and effective." from Rishi Sunak UK Prime Minister The security situation on the ground in Sudan is complicated, it is volatile and we wanted to make sure we could put in place processes that are going to work for people, that are going to be safe and effective." Rishi Sunak UK Prime Minister Confirming the UK has more than 100 people on the ground in Sudan as it stands, Sunak says there will be "more flights this evening and we'll have many more into tomorrow". He says more than 1,000 people have been contacted and many are making their way to the airfield [https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-65371585]
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