Peru's Ambassador to Israel: 160 compatriots evacuated safe and sound

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

09:17 | Tel Aviv (Israel), Oct. 14.

Peruvian Ambassador to Israel Manuel Cacho-Sousa on Saturday affirmed that 160 compatriots, who were registered at the Embassy in said Middle East country, were evacuated from the area affected by the conflict to arrive safe and sound in Peru.

"In the early hours of the morning, at 4:15 a.m. (local time), the presidential plane took off from Israel with 42 Peruvians, including stranded tourists and others considered vulnerable, that is, elderly people living in the areas where attacks occurred," the diplomat said in remarks to TVPeru.

"We considered them to be the most important. With this last group, a total of 160 Peruvians have been evacuated. Besides, they are safe and sound," he added.

Manuel Cacho-Sousa stated that the conflict in the Middle East country broke out a week ago, noting that after the attacks occurred, information was immediately provided to Peruvians who requested it, many of whom were tourists at first.

"Tourists were identified first because, although the international airport was not attacked, airlines were not flying in, so we opened the registration and registered the names of 160 people," he pointed out.

Unable to get flights, a first group was evacuated by land through Jordan; from there, they headed to Madrid (Spain) on a commercial flight, the Peruvian envoy commented.

"We provided them with accommodation, permanent advice, transportation, as well as the flight ticket from Oman (Jordan) to Madrid. We managed to keep in contact with them. Besides, the remaining ones flew yesterday to Rome (Italy) before heading to Lima, thanks to the support of the President (Dina Boluarte) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he said.

Likewise, the ambassador explained that only 25 out of 42 Peruvians who traveled to Rome will fly aboard the presidential plane, while the remaining group will head to Lima on a commercial flight.

Finally, he stressed that the registration of Peruvians who wish to leave Israel has not been closed yet, since 20 applications have been received. However, this list includes compatriots who live and work in said nation, but who no longer have a place to go in Peru.

(END) JCC/RMB/MVB

Published: 10/14/2023