Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Last-minute call for Britons hoping to escape Sudan as UK flights open up to foreign NHS doctors

British nationals who wanted to leave Sudan by midday local time had to decide quickly. NHS doctors without UK passports can now take final rescue flights.

Foreign Office urged anyone still in Africa to go to the Wadi-Seedna Airfield near Khartoum before 12pm local time (11:30am UK time), to be processed.

Local time is 6pm UK time.

Picture: MoD has flown more than 1,500 British citizens out. Picture: MoD

The number of Britons who arrived at the airport before the deadline had dramatically dropped. A “trickle” showed up over a period of several hours.

Advertisement

Children were among the British troops who helped those in need, according to pictures released by the Ministry of Defence.

So far, 13 flights have flown more than 1,500 passengers out of Sudan .

Read More:

“Death can come anywhere” – chaos at Port Sudan

Traumatised Sudan evacuees describe ‘horrendous’ scenes

Explainer: Why is Sudan fighting so violent?

There is now a confirmed plan to evacuate foreign NHS doctors and their dependents, as well.

A spokesperson stated: “We can offer this increased eligibility because of the efforts made by the staff and the military in delivering this evacuation, the largest of any Western country.

“We continue working intensively with international partners to maintain the ceasefire, and to bring an end the fighting. This is the most important thing that we can do for the safety of British citizens and other nationals in Sudan.”

This comes after criticisms of the speedy British evacuation. The British were given more time to evacuate because agreed on a 72-hour extension of the ceasefire between two warring parties.

The army has been fighting a rival paramilitary group in the capital, and the surrounding areas. This includes air strikes, artillery and tanks.

Tens of thousands have fled the violence between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has derailed an internationally-backed transition towards democratic elections.

Use Chrome for an accessible video player


Sudan: ‘It’s sheer chaos’

The violent power struggle in Darfur has also reignited a conflict that lasted for two decades and could trigger instability throughout the entire volatile region.

Fighting has caused food shortages and power outages, as well as forcing many hospitals to shut down.



Subscribe to Sky News Daily podcast wherever you listen to podcasts

According to the United Nations (which believes that the casualties are much higher), at least 512 people were killed and nearly 4,200 others injured.


Both sides accuse each other of violating the latest ceasefire brokered by foreign power, which is supposed to last till Sunday midnight.

Comments

Latest Tweets

Advertisement

You May Also Like

United Kingdom

Film director Ridley Scott has recalled the death of actor Oliver Reed while making the Oscar winning blockbuster Gladiator. Scott said hard-drinking Reed “just...

Business

The controversial Russian businessman Viktor Baturin, well-known for his years-long counterstanding with his wealthy sister Elena, widow of Moscow ex-mayor Yuri Luzhkov, is likely...

United Kingdom

The Tremeloes. Dave Munden centre Dave Munden the Tremeloes drummer – and often lead singer – with the 60s chart toppers has died. He...

United Kingdom

The Watneys Party Seven is making a comeback. The ubiquitous 70s beer was a bland fizzing bitter ridiculed by many. The drink’s insipidness helped...