Seventy more people evacuated from Lebanon to Cyprus
A total of 70 passengers, including 38 Cypriot nationals, arrived Friday night in Larnaca from Beirut, Cyprus’ foreign ministry announced in a message posted on X.
At the initiative of the foreign ministry, Middle East Airlines operated an additional flight from Beirut, which arrived on Friday, at 10:55 pm (local time), at Larnaca airport.
“The flight carried 70 passengers that had requested assistance, including 38 Cypriot nationals, whose fares were covered by the Republic of Cyprus. Also on board were 11 nationals of Greece, two Polish nationals, as well as 19 Lebanese nationals, holders of a permanent residence permit in Cyprus” the post added.
The ministry said that it continues to provide consular assistance to Cypriot nationals in Lebanon through the Cypriot embassy in Beirut. People are also encouraged to register on the online platform connect2cy.gov.cy or to regularly update any requests through their online profile.
The news came in the wake of a successful rescue operation from Beirut on Thursday of 38 Cypriot and 22 Greek nationals, transported by a Lockheed C-130 aircraft provided by the Greek ministry of defence.
Meanwhile, the Australian Associated press reported that Qantas will operate two non-stop flights between Cyprus and Sydney, chartered by the Australian government, to carry up to 500 passengers from Beirut on Saturday.
The Qantas flights are scheduled to depart onward from Cyprus on Monday and Wednesday.
Further flights are planned subject to demand, the Australian foreign ministry said.
Cyprus had so far accepted requests from two countries for the Estia evacuation plan of foreign nationals, Gotsis added. One of the requests had come from China, involving the arrival by sea of about 80 people earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Ayia Napa marina has seen the arrival of about five boats daily, mainly luxury vessels, according to unofficial reports relayed by state broadcaster CyBC.
These are ferrying between five to 20 people each, mainly European nationals or Lebanese dual citizenship holders, and diplomatic staff.
Most arrivals are making their way onwards via flights from Larnaca airport following brief hotel stays.