South Sudan: Britons urged to flee on final evacuation flight

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/22/south-sudan-britons-urged-flee-final-flight

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Britons in South Sudan are being urged to flee the country as the UK charters its final evacuation flight to the troubled African state.

The Foreign Office said a third plane was being sent to the capital city of Juba on Monday and warned that the government would struggle to help anyone who chose to stay behind.

Fighting has spread through the east African state, which gained its independence in 2011, following a reported coup attempt in the capital last weekend.

British military transport planes have been used to evacuate two groups of UK nationals over recent days and a United States rescue plane was hit by incoming fire, leaving three American service personnel wounded.

The United Nations has estimated that up to 500 people have been killed in fighting between rival factions following a coup attempt against the president by soldiers loyal to his former deputy.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Due to the continued violence in South Sudan, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is planning to send a third and final plane to assist any remaining British nationals to leave.

"The FCO is planning to provide a charter flight to depart from Juba to Dubai during the afternoon of Monday 23 December. Following the assisted departure of British nationals earlier this week on military flights, this will be the final flight provided by the FCO for British nationals to leave South Sudan.

"If you would like to be on the flight on 23 December, you will need to be at Juba Airport by 1200 hours. It may not be possible to carry baggage. If you bring baggage to the airport, you may have to leave it there.

"We strongly advise all British nationals in South Sudan to leave the country if they can do so safely. You may have difficulty leaving in the event of a further deterioration in security."

British nationals wishing to leave Juba were advised to contact the FCO urgently on +44 207 008 1500 or by email at crisisfco.gsi.gov.uk.

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