A total of 53 Cypriot citizens were evacuated from Iran and Israel and most of them returned to Cyprus, according to a press release issued on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also, through “ESTIA” national plan, France has concluded this week’s scheduled evacuation flights, with seven flights departing Israel, carrying 395 third country nationals.
The total number of people who received assistance through the “ESTIA” plan, increased thus to 608, it is added. Also, 296 third country nationals departed using special commercial flights, in order to be repatriated.
The Foreign Ministry notes moreover, that more than 3,000 citizens were temporarily stationed in Cyprus during this time, due to diverted flights, until they could reach their final destination.
ESTIA is the National Action Plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, which is activated in case of emergency or crisis, to allow for the safe evacuation of civilians from a nearby crisis area (from the wider Middle East region) through Cyprus. It may also be implemented in cases of natural disasters in the region, which might also result to the evacuation of EU and third country citizens, through Cyprus.