Newsletters
European countries are expanding evacuation efforts to bring citizens home as travel disruptions continue amid the widening war involving Iran.
The European Commission said at least six repatriation flights supported by the EU have departed the region since Wednesday, returning European citizens to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia.
Additional evacuation flights are planned in the coming days, the Commission said in a statement.
“In response to the recent developments in the region, the Commission is taking every possible step to ensure the safety of EU citizens by supporting Member States in coordinating repatriation flights from the Middle East,” the statement said.
The U.S. State Department also said it will increase evacuation flights across the region.
Officials said more than 17,500 American citizens have returned to the U.S. from the Middle East since Feb. 28.
Evacuation flights have departed from regional hubs including Dubai and Jeddah.
Several European countries have also begun arranging their own evacuation flights.
France, Germany and the Czech Republic are organizing flights to bring citizens out of the Middle East.
The United Kingdom said technical issues delayed its first charter evacuation flight from the Omani capital, Muscat, since the conflict began, but said the aircraft was expected to depart shortly.
British authorities added that additional evacuation flights are planned in the coming days.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
