Fleeing South Sudan: UK sends plane to evacuate Brits
The Foreign Office is evacuating British nationals from South Sudan amid fighting that has killed up to 500 people.
Fighting has spread through the newly-formed East African state following a reported coup attempt in the capital Juba at the weekend.
The FO said more than 150 Britons had been in contact wanting to leave the country, and the UK has sent a plane to help with evacuations.
A spokeswoman said: “A UK aircraft is en route to Juba to evacuate British nationals who wish to leave from Juba airport on Thursday 19 December.
“If you are a British national and you wish to leave Juba you should contact the FCO as soon as possible.”
She added: “To date over 150 British nationals have contacted us, many of whom want help leaving the country.”
Not all of those being evacuated were embassy staff, she said.
The FO said it was withdrawing some embassy staff and their dependants amid continuing violence in South Sudan.
It emphasised that its embassy in Juba remained open, though it is revising its status on a “constant basis”.
British nationals seeking to leave South Sudan are urged to contact the FO in London for advice, by calling 0207 008 1500 or by emailing crisis@fco.gsi.gov.uk.
The United Nations has estimated that up to 500 people have been killed in fighting between rival factions following a coup attempt against the president by soldiers loyal to his former deputy.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said that around 20,000 people have taken refuge with the UN in Juba.