Escape from Sudan: Chinese navy helps Pakistani and Brazilian nationals flee war-torn African nation alongside its own
- 215 Pakistani citizens and Brazilian family of six among 493 people evacuated by PLA Navy to Saudi Arabia, Chinese navy and CCTV reports say
- Chinese foreign ministry earlier said the PLA Navy had helped the nationals of five countries leave Sudan, but did not name them
The ministry said earlier that the nationals of five countries had left Sudan on Chinese naval ships, but did not name them. It also said more countries were seeking help from China to help evacuate their citizens.
It was the second and final round of large-scale evacuations from Sudan by the PLA naval force, with 940 Chinese in all brought to Jeddah on board the Weishanhu, escorted by the guided-missile destroyer Nanning, between Wednesday and Saturday, the Chinese defence ministry said.
This came as the violence continued in Sudan, with several truces failing to take hold after a months-long power struggle between its armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force boiled over.
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‘I left everything’: relief and sorrow among Pakistanis fleeing amid Sudan’s third week of unrest
What started with deadly clashes in and around the capital Khartoum on April 15 has since spread to the country’s west and south. At least 500 people have been killed, with more than 4,500 injured, and tens of thousands fleeing their homes, according to Sudanese health ministry data.