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UK Charters Flights to Evacuate Britons from Hurricane-Ravaged Jamaica
30 Oct
Summary
- UK government charters flights to help British nationals leave Jamaica
- Up to 8,000 Britons estimated to be on the Caribbean island
- Foreign Office urges Britons to register to receive disaster response updates
In the aftermath of the powerful Hurricane Melissa that struck Jamaica, the UK government has taken action to assist its citizens stranded on the island. As many as 8,000 British nationals were present in the Caribbean country when the rare Category 5 storm made landfall on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The Foreign Office has urged these Britons to register their presence in Jamaica to receive updates on the ongoing disaster response efforts. While the government did not specify the exact number of chartered flights, it confirmed that British nationals and their immediate family members would be able to board these planes as long as they hold valid travel documents.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the strong ties between the UK and Jamaica, stating that the government is committed to ensuring its citizens can safely return home after the harrowing experience. The announcement comes a day after the UK pledged £2.5 million in aid to support the relief and recovery efforts in the hurricane-ravaged island nation.
