200 British nationals evacuated from the Sudan war till now
Some 230-240 British nationals are coming back on the three evacuation planes from Sudan war, the Foreign Office says.
The third flight getting British citizens from Sudan and eventually to the UK has landed this morning in Cyprus.
The security situation is complicated for stuck British nationals:
Evacuees are ready to board the first plane from Larnaca to London later this morning.
The BBC was informed 39 people were on the first RAF flight to Cyprus and that three rescue planes from Sudan were scheduled.
An ex-Sudanese politician wanted for alleged offences against humanity has said he and other former officers are no longer in prison following news of a break-out.
Trapped British citizens have been told to make their way to a terminal near Khartoum – without an escort – and UK ministers have been pressured to allow citizens to flee the fighting.
Thousands of people have been trying to escape the nation during a truce between rival military factions, with the UN predicting up to 270,000 Sudanese people to leave.
Citizens of Khartoum’s capital have spoken of their fears of looting and destruction as food supplies diminish.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has supported the UK government’s strategy to bring British nationals out of Sudan, following criticism that the Foreign Office is failing those abandoned in Khartoum.
Speaking to broadcasters after founding the first evacuation plane from Sudan, he said there would be “many more” flights out of Sudan.
Questioned about the charges of failing to help UK nationals, the prime minister states he is “glad that we were one of the first nations to evacuate our citizens and our families safely.”
He continues it is fitting that nationals and their relatives were prioritised “because they were being targeted.”
He says around 1,000 people have been reached, and many are moving to the airfield. So far, two RAF jets arrived in Cyprus.
