More than 35,000 foreign nationals arrived in Cyprus since the Israeli assault on Lebanon began, while 23,000 of them have already departed via air for other destinations.
Police spokesman Demetris Demetriou told CNA that until 0600 this morning, a total of 35,023 people arrived in Cyprus via air or sea and until 0700 today, 23,000 left Cyprus for other destinations.
The majority of the evacuees are US citizens, French, Swedish, British, Canadians and Australians.
Over 7,000 foreign nationals arrived in Cyprus in the past 12 hours, fleeing war – torn Lebanon.
“USS Nashville” docked this morning at the Limassol port, carrying 1,100 foreigners from Lebanon, while two more vessels “Vitoria”, and “HMS Gloucester” brought around 90 people.
In the morning hours, cruise ship ‘Serenade’ brought 700 people and “Blue Dawn” around 240.
At 0500 today three Indian ships the ‘INS Mumbai’, the ‘INS Brahmaputra’ and the ‘INS Betwa’, docked at the Larnaca port carrying 300 Indian nationals each.
One hour later the French navy vessel “Sirocco” ferried in 1,000 French nationals and cruise ship “Ierapetra” 1,200 French and British nationals.
From 2000 until 2300 last night, vessels “Dodekanisos”, “San Swan”, “Princesa Marissa” and “Crete II” brought around 2,000 evacuees.
Meanwhile, thousands of foreign nationals are being accommodated in schools, closed athletic stadiums in Limmasol and Larnaca, as well as in the Nicosia International State Fair premises, waiting for their departure from Cyprus’ airports.
The country’s biggest airport, the Larnaca International airport, is experiencing a peak with foreign nationals making their way back to safer countries via air. Yesterday, 30 extra departures were on schedule.
Under normal circumstances, the Larnaca airport can afford 16 – 18 parked aircrafts, but these days it had to handle at least 30.
Yesterday, French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie embarked the French navy vessel “Jean Bart” that docked at the Larnaca port, carrying French nationals for repatriation.
In statements on her arrival in Larnaca, the French Minister thanked the Cypriot authorities for their assistance in carrying French nationals away from war – torn Lebanon.
She added that the French government had already responded to 5,000 applications for evacuation from Lebanon, and 9,000 more are pending.
“We hope that in the next few days we will be able to transfer them as well away from Lebanon via Cyprus”, she said.
The French Minister noted that all French transport means that are currently in Cyprus, will stay on the island in order to send humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people.
Last night, honorable president of the Cyprus Red Cross, First Lady, Fotini Papadopoulou, visited the Larnaca port, where thousands of evacuees from Lebanon arrive every day and inspected the humanitarian work of the Organization’s volunteers.
