Indians Among 388 People Of 28 Countries Evacuated By France From Sudan

France has evacuated 388 people of 28 countries, including India, as part of its evacuation mission from war-torn Sudan.

Citizens evacuated by France from Sudan.

France has evacuated some Indian nationals along with citizens of 27 other countries as part of its evacuation mission from war-torn Sudan. The French embassy in New Delhi said that 388 people from 28 countries, including India, were evacuated. However, there has no clarity on the number of Indians evacuated by France. This comes as forces in Sudan refuse to cease violence forcing people to flee and take shelter elsewhere. 

The Embassy of France in India on Monday tweeted, "French evacuation operations are underway. Last night, two military flight rotations evacuated 388 people of 28 countries, including Indian nationals." 

#Sudan | French evacuation operations are under way. Last night, two military flight rotations evacuated 388 people of 28 countries, including Indian nationals. 🇫🇷🤝🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/CrXeOH9UmD

— French Embassy in India 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinIndia) April 24, 2023

As per a report by PTI, Saudi Arabia on Sunday said that it has evacuated 66 citizens from Sudan, and they belong to "brotherly and friendly" foreign countries that included a few Indian nationals. 

People familiar with the matter said that Saudi Arabia evacuated three Indians, who were part of the crew of a Saudi flight and stuck in Sudanese capital Khartoum, mentioned PTI in its report. 

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting for the last 11 days between the country's army and a paramilitary group that has reportedly left around 400 people dead. 

PTI reported that as part of its contingency plans to evacuate the stranded Indians from Sudan, India has already positioned two heavy-lift military transport aircraft in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah and a naval ship at an important port in the violence-hit nation. 

"Two Indian Air Force C-130J are currently positioned on standby in Jeddah. And, INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan," the MEA statement said. "Contingency plans are in place but any movement on the ground would depend on the security situation, which continues to be volatile with reports of fierce fighting at various locations in Khartoum," the MEA added. 

Situation in Sudan

Press Release ➡️ https://t.co/0qLd7zcQLG pic.twitter.com/T9ITIEeYqV

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) April 23, 2023

Giving out the details on the evacuation drive, the MEA said contingency plans for the evacuation of Indians have been put in place but any movement on the ground would depend on the security situation. 

The MEA said India is making all possible efforts to ensure the security and safe return of the Indians stranded in Sudan. "We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan," the MEA statement said. 

The government on Friday said it was focusing on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout Sudan.