THE FRENCH Embassy in Mumbai has informed the Republic of Cyprus that they are co-ordinating evacuations for anyone wishing to leave the country, with a direct flight from Mumbai to Paris, Cypriot High Commissioner in India, Andreas Zenonos, said yesterday.
Zenonos said that if the one Cypriot woman currently known to be in Mumbai would like to leave the country on this flight, she should communicate either with the Foreign Ministry in Cyprus, or directly with the High Commission in Mumbai. Arrangements would be made for her prompt departure on the flight later in the afternoon. He said he has been in touch with her relatives to let them know she was well and in a safe area.
Zenonos also confirmed that no other Cypriot had communicated with his office to report their whereabouts, or any further information from Mumbai or any other town in India. “The scene here has been one of chaos, where gunshots and explosions continue,” Zenonos said.
He advised Cypriot nationals not to travel to Mumbai in the coming days, until the situation was resolved. He announced that there were no problems in New Delhi or in any other cities in the country.
The death toll so far in the terrorist attacks has reached 150, but could increase according to authorities, as bodies are still being found. Those injured as a result of the attacks has reached 400.
Among the dead was British Cypriot Andreas Liveras, a self-made millionaire yachting magnate, who was in Mumbai for a yachting show. He had chosen the Taj Mahal for dinner on Thursday night, after hearing they served the best food in the city. Liveras was among 1,000 hostages at the hotel, and was killed during gunfire. He is survived by his son and three daughters.
Meanwhile in Thailand, where anti-government protestors have taken over Bangkok’s two airports, thousands of passengers remain stranded, among them 40 Cypriot nationals, all of whom are confirmed to be safe. The foreign ministry has advised them not to make any moves that might endanger their lives.
Director of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Phaedon Anastasiou, has spoken personally with ten of the Cypriot nationals, while his office has communicated with a further 20. They are making efforts to reach the remaining ten, who had not answered so far. “The consulate is in continuous communication with them, and advises that if they are to try to leave the country, they must be certain they will not place their lives in danger,” Anastasiou said. “They can contact the ministry for any further information.”
He confirmed that most of the Cypriots were in Phuket, and had been informed that several of them have made arrangements to leave the country from other towns on December 3 and 14 December. “From there on there is nothing further the foreign ministry can do to help in this situation, or any other foreign ministry, not just ours,” he said.
