Sudan conflict: 135 Bangladeshis flown to Jeddah
At least 135 of the about 700 Bangladeshis, who were evacuated to Port Sudan from conflict-stricken Khartoum on May 3, were flown to Jeddah by three special aircrafts of Royal Saudi Air Force today.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia welcomed them at Jeddah Airport this afternoon.
They are scheduled to fly to Bangladesh by a flight of Biman Bangladesh tomorrow.
A statement of Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh said, in the initial stage, women, children and sick Bangladeshis from Port Sudan were flown in to Jeddah.
"Arrangements have been made for their rest, food and necessary treatment at the Bangladesh International School [English section]," it said.
From May 2 onwards, nearly 700 Bangladeshis were taken to Port Sudan, around 800km from Khartoum, on 13 buses amid intense fighting between the Sudanese military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in sUDAN since April 15.
the clashes have killed over 550 people and injured some 5,000 others so far.
The Bangladeshis were supposed to be transported to Jeddah by Saudi ships through the Red Sea. However, in the absence of available ships, Saudi authorities yesterday arranged three aircrafts.
"We don't know exactly when the next trip of ship would be available, but hope to have it soon," Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, director general (consular) at the foreign ministry, told The Daily Star.
All of those who have registered for returning home will be eventually repatriated, he said.
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