The FDFA wanted the Swiss remaining in Afghanistan to travel from third countries to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. However, this is not currently possible or is only possible to a limited extent. The reason is the “difficult security situation” around Kabul airport. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the situation had “significantly deteriorated” in the past few hours.
There were a lot of people in front of the airport and there were violent riots sometimes. This practically blocks access. So only a few people could be transported from Kabul to Tashkent.
So far, 19 people have managed to leave the country
The Swiss evacuation flight from Tashkent scheduled for Saturday has therefore been postponed. It is said that the need for evacuation is not present at the moment. Germany also canceled flights to the Uzbek capital. The FDFA continues to work “at full speed on the various evacuation options.”
As Hans-Peter Lenz, head of the Foreign Affairs Department’s Crisis Management Center, told media in Bern on Friday evening, 19 people have so far been able to leave the country with a Swiss passport or residence permit. One person came to Pakistan by land, the others departed via Kabul airport. “Unfortunately, none of the 233 employees of the Swiss office and their main families have been able to leave the country,” according to Linz. (SDA / noo)
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