China
13:03, 01-Oct-2017
Hurricane-stranded Chinese nationals return home ahead of National Day
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After days of waiting, a total of 377 Chinese nationals in Antigua and Barbuda who were transferred from hurricane-ravaged Dominica finally boarded two emergency charter flights on Saturday and embarked on a journey back home ahead of the Chinese National Day.
The flights, coordinated by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Civil Aviation Administration, have flown across 19 countries and set a record for the longest round-trip voyage in Chinese abroad rescue operation.
On September 18, Hurricane Maria ripped through Dominica, leaving 15 dead and the whole island in mass destruction and power outages, a disaster people have yet to recover from.
Staff of Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda holds a banner, wishing the 377 passengers a safe journey./ CGTN Photo
Staff of Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda holds a banner, wishing the 377 passengers a safe journey./ CGTN Photo
A crew member is waving a Chinese national flag as the plane lands in V.C. Bird International Airport, Antigua and Barbuda./ CGTN Photo
A crew member is waving a Chinese national flag as the plane lands in V.C. Bird International Airport, Antigua and Barbuda./ CGTN Photo
377 Chinese nationals transferred to Antigua and Barbuda from Dominica are boarding two China Eastern flights back to China on Saturday local time./ CGTN Photo
377 Chinese nationals transferred to Antigua and Barbuda from Dominica are boarding two China Eastern flights back to China on Saturday local time./ CGTN Photo
As of September 28, a number of 487 Chinese nationals have been evacuated since hurricane Maria battered Dominica./ CGTN Photo
As of September 28, a number of 487 Chinese nationals have been evacuated since hurricane Maria battered Dominica./ CGTN Photo
In response, the Chinese government, in tandem with its embassy in Dominica, have arranged several emergency evacuations and provided emergency supplies and boats to move its nationals to nearby Antigua and Barbuda.
“I have nothing left (after the hurricane),” Hu, a Chinese restaurant owner from Dominica told a CCTV reporter during the evacuation. “But it’s good enough that we are still alive, thanks for the help China and Chinese embassy provided. We are so grateful.”
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of September 28, a number of 487 Chinese nationals have been evacuated since September 22 and most of them are employees of Chinese-invested enterprises.
The two China Eastern flights are expected to land in Shanghai Pudong airport on Sunday night BJT after a 24-hour-long journey, as thousands and millions of Chinese people are also traveling home for family reunions on National Day.