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We can't stay in Sudan forever, says government minister Sudan crisis: Last UK evacuation flight leaves rescue effort ends
(about 3 hours later)
British nationals have been evacuated to Cyprus, before flying to the UK Some 1,888 British nationals have been rescued from Sudan, the government said
An operation to evacuate people from Sudan has been "extremely successful", a government minister has said. An operation to evacuate people from Sudan has been "extremely successful", a government minister has said, as the UK ended its evacuation operation.
A deadline for UK nationals to reach an airstrip north of the country's capital Khartoum for the final rescue flights expired on Saturday. The Foreign Office said the last flight left the capital, Khartoum, at 22:00 local time (21:00 BST) on Saturday.
"We can't stay there forever in such dangerous circumstances," said Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell."We can't stay there forever in such dangerous circumstances," said Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell.
It follows a government U-turn to allow NHS doctors to now catch evacuation flights out of Sudan. A 72-hour ceasefire broke down on Saturday, with armed factions stepping up their battle for the capital.
Tens of thousands of people have fled the country since fighting between rival army factions engulfed Sudan two weeks ago. Bombers and heavy artillery are targeting parts of Khartoum, while the Sudanese army claimed it was attacking the city in all directions to try to drive out the paramilitary, Rapid Support Forces.
Tens of thousands of people have fled the country since fighting engulfed Sudan two weeks ago.
The death toll is thought to be much higher than the most recent official figure of 459, and the United Nations fears hundreds of thousands could be displaced if the conflict continues.The death toll is thought to be much higher than the most recent official figure of 459, and the United Nations fears hundreds of thousands could be displaced if the conflict continues.
A 72-hour ceasefire broke down on Saturday, with airstrikes reported and the Sudanese army claiming they had launched a new offensive from all sides on Khartoum.
The former prime minister of Sudan has warned that the conflict could become worse than those in Syria and Libya.The former prime minister of Sudan has warned that the conflict could become worse than those in Syria and Libya.
Other countries have been frantically evacuating their citizens, while some have fled via unofficial routes by boat and bus.
On Saturday evening the US government said it had completed the first rescue of its citizens. US nationals and permanent residents had been taken by convoy to Port Sudan and were crossing the Red Sea by boat to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, it said.
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The government said 1,888 people have been evacuated on 21 flights, and the last flight was due to depart late on Saturday. The government said 1,888 people have been evacuated on 21 flights, and it is "no longer running evacuation flights".
Other countries have been frantically evacuating their citizens, while some have fled via unofficial routes by boat and bus.
The UK government, which began evacuations last Tuesday, had faced criticism for not reacting quickly enough to help its citizens after it began its airlift after other European countries had rescued hundreds.The UK government, which began evacuations last Tuesday, had faced criticism for not reacting quickly enough to help its citizens after it began its airlift after other European countries had rescued hundreds.
The UK government has evacuated 1,888 people from Sudan with the assistance of the British military It also faced pressure for only evacuating British nationals and excluding NHS doctors - but later made a U-turn and decided to allow them to board flights.
British nationals have been evacuated to Cyprus, before flying to the UK
Last weekend, special forces troops were sent to evacuate UK diplomats from Khartoum after fighting broke out around the embassy, but it wasn't until a few days later that British passport holders would be rescued.Last weekend, special forces troops were sent to evacuate UK diplomats from Khartoum after fighting broke out around the embassy, but it wasn't until a few days later that British passport holders would be rescued.
Speaking to the BBC in Nairobi, Mr Mitchell said it was right that the evacuation flights were ending.Speaking to the BBC in Nairobi, Mr Mitchell said it was right that the evacuation flights were ending.
"I don't think there's a single Brit in Khartoum who won't know about the evacuation and the flow of people who've been coming to the airport indicate that that is correct," he told the BBC."I don't think there's a single Brit in Khartoum who won't know about the evacuation and the flow of people who've been coming to the airport indicate that that is correct," he told the BBC.
Watch: Baby meets father for first time after evacuation from Sudan to UK
Watch: Baby meets father for first time after evacuation from Sudan to UK
Referencing a Turkish evacuation plane that was fired at when coming into land, Mr Mitchell described the situation at the Wadi Seidna airfield as "extremely dangerous".Referencing a Turkish evacuation plane that was fired at when coming into land, Mr Mitchell described the situation at the Wadi Seidna airfield as "extremely dangerous".
He said the UK government was "looking at every single option to help British citizens who are caught up in this terrible crisis".He said the UK government was "looking at every single option to help British citizens who are caught up in this terrible crisis".
He added that he was concerned that the situation could become "incredibly serious" unless there was a permanent ceasefire.He added that he was concerned that the situation could become "incredibly serious" unless there was a permanent ceasefire.
"The whole international system is looking at ways of stopping this fighting" he said, "which after all is two generals slugging it out for power"."The whole international system is looking at ways of stopping this fighting" he said, "which after all is two generals slugging it out for power".
A Foreign Office spokesperson said the UK's Sudan evacuation was "the largest of any western country".A Foreign Office spokesperson said the UK's Sudan evacuation was "the largest of any western country".
Millions of people remain trapped in Khartoum, where there are shortages of food, water and fuel.Millions of people remain trapped in Khartoum, where there are shortages of food, water and fuel.
Watch: Baby meets father for first time after evacuation from Sudan to UK
Watch: Baby meets father for first time after evacuation from Sudan to UK
The Ministry of Defence has told the BBC flights will continue to leave Sudan until all those people who registered at the airfield before the deadline of midday local time (11:00 BST) have been evacuated.
It has now set up an office to help British nationals trying to flee the country at coastal city Port Sudan.
A British vessel, the RFA Cardigan Bay, is on its way to Sudan's east coast, the BBC has been told.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said earlier this week it could be deployed in future evacuation or humanitarian efforts.
Families were able to flee war-torn Sudan with the support of the British military.Families were able to flee war-torn Sudan with the support of the British military.
More than 20 NHS medics were initially told they could not board flights because they were not British nationals, despite having UK work permits.More than 20 NHS medics were initially told they could not board flights because they were not British nationals, despite having UK work permits.
A change of heart came after the plight of Sudanese doctor Dr Abdulrahman Babiker came to light. He was in Sudan visiting relatives for Eid when the fighting broke out.A change of heart came after the plight of Sudanese doctor Dr Abdulrahman Babiker came to light. He was in Sudan visiting relatives for Eid when the fighting broke out.
He was initially refused a place on a British evacuation flight but after media coverage and contacting his MP, the criteria was widened and he was allowed to join. He landed in the UK on Saturday afternoon.He was initially refused a place on a British evacuation flight but after media coverage and contacting his MP, the criteria was widened and he was allowed to join. He landed in the UK on Saturday afternoon.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
SudanSudan
Andrew MitchellAndrew Mitchell