4,600 Chinese evacuated from Libya, 83 back home
Chinese workers wave from the shuttle bus at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 24, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]
More than 4,600 Chinese nationals had been evacuated from Libya by Thursday morning, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday.
More than 4,000 left the riot-torn north African state on Thursday on two Greek ocean liners, which were chartered by the Chinese embassy in Greece, said the statement.
The "Hellenic Spirit" and "Olympic Champion" left Benghazi, Libya's eastern port and second-largest city, at 7 a.m. Beijing time (2300 GMT, Wednesday) and were expected to arrive at the port of Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete at about 8 p.m. Beijing time (1200 GMT).
Chinese workers pose for pictures after arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 24, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Chinese embassy in Greece had been preparing for the evacuees' arrival, said the statement.
Chinese companies, including China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company, China Shipping (Group) Company and China State Construction Engineering Corporation, actively participated in the evacuation mission, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular briefing Thursday.
A Chinese worker wipes away his tears after arriving Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 24, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]
Rescue efforts by land were also underway, and the Chinese embassy in Egypt had received more than 400 Chinese who left Libya by road.