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Sudan: Deadline looms for extra UK rescue flight | |
(32 minutes later) | |
The UK will run an extra evacuation flight on Monday for British nationals still trapped in Sudan. | The UK will run an extra evacuation flight on Monday for British nationals still trapped in Sudan. |
Those eligible will need to reach to the coastal city of Port Sudan, 500 miles from capital Khartoum where previous planes took off, by 11:00 BST. | Those eligible will need to reach to the coastal city of Port Sudan, 500 miles from capital Khartoum where previous planes took off, by 11:00 BST. |
The UK has now airlifted 2,122 British passport holders, and NHS staff with UK work permits, on 23 flights. | The UK has now airlifted 2,122 British passport holders, and NHS staff with UK work permits, on 23 flights. |
Airstrikes and fighting have been reported over the weekend despite a ceasefire between rival army factions. | Airstrikes and fighting have been reported over the weekend despite a ceasefire between rival army factions. |
Tens of thousands of people have fled the country since fighting engulfed the country more than two weeks ago. | Tens of thousands of people have fled the country since fighting engulfed the country more than two weeks ago. |
The capital city Khartoum has seen the heaviest fighting, with the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group, fighting for control of the country. | The capital city Khartoum has seen the heaviest fighting, with the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group, fighting for control of the country. |
Sudan's military said on Saturday it was launching a major new offensive against RSF positions in Khartoum. | Sudan's military said on Saturday it was launching a major new offensive against RSF positions in Khartoum. |
Inside overwhelmed Sudan port as thousands flee | Inside overwhelmed Sudan port as thousands flee |
Why has fighting broken out in Sudan? | Why has fighting broken out in Sudan? |
SNHS doctors told they can catch last UK evacuation flights | SNHS doctors told they can catch last UK evacuation flights |
Sudan crisis 'risks becoming a nightmare for the world' | Sudan crisis 'risks becoming a nightmare for the world' |
The latest truce, which has not held, was due to end at midnight on Sunday. But the RSF said the ceasefire had been extended for another three days. | The latest truce, which has not held, was due to end at midnight on Sunday. But the RSF said the ceasefire had been extended for another three days. |
British security services had been scoping out Port Sudan as an alternative evacuation site since the beginning of the week, and have established a limited diplomatic presence there. | British security services had been scoping out Port Sudan as an alternative evacuation site since the beginning of the week, and have established a limited diplomatic presence there. |
People wanting to board the additional flight must be at Port Sudan International Airport on Monday before 12:00 Sudan time. | |
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the dependants of British nationals and NHS staff, who have leave to enter the UK, would also be allowed on the flight. | |
The UK government on Friday announced non-British NHS staff in Sudan could catch evacuation flights out of the country,in a U-turn on its previous policy. | |
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "I am grateful to our armed forces who have ensured there was an alternative to Wadi Saeedna and who are currently supporting FCDO and Border Force staff to facilitate the rescue effort." | Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "I am grateful to our armed forces who have ensured there was an alternative to Wadi Saeedna and who are currently supporting FCDO and Border Force staff to facilitate the rescue effort." |
A Royal Navy frigate - the HMS Lancaster - and Royal Air Force personnel are in Port Sudan, Mr Wallace added. | A Royal Navy frigate - the HMS Lancaster - and Royal Air Force personnel are in Port Sudan, Mr Wallace added. |
Another British vessel - the RFA Cardigan Bay - is on its way to Sudan and would also be able to provide humanitarian support, the BBC has been told. | |
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 |
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 |
Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell warned on Saturday that the UK "can't stay [in Sudan] forever" as the security situation continued to deteriorate. | Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell warned on Saturday that the UK "can't stay [in Sudan] forever" as the security situation continued to deteriorate. |
The UK initially faced criticism for starting its evacuation after other countries, including European nations which rescued hundreds before the first British airlift took place. | The UK initially faced criticism for starting its evacuation after other countries, including European nations which rescued hundreds before the first British airlift took place. |
A separate operation days earlier saw special forces troops evacuate UK diplomats from Khartoum after fighting broke out around the embassy. | A separate operation days earlier saw special forces troops evacuate UK diplomats from Khartoum after fighting broke out around the embassy. |
But a Foreign Office spokesperson said the UK's Sudan evacuation had grown to become "the largest of any Western country". | But a Foreign Office spokesperson said the UK's Sudan evacuation had grown to become "the largest of any Western country". |
The UN's top humanitarian official, Martin Griffiths, says he is travelling to Sudan to co-ordinate the international aid effort, and would be looking to bring immediate relief to millions of people who have fled their homes. | The UN's top humanitarian official, Martin Griffiths, says he is travelling to Sudan to co-ordinate the international aid effort, and would be looking to bring immediate relief to millions of people who have fled their homes. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office |
Sudan | Sudan |