The nightmare they experienced in Beirut was described by Greeks, Lebanese residents, who arrived in Athens in an Air Force C-130 that traveled to Lebanon to rescue Greek and Cypriot civilians.
It is noted that the aircraft landed at the Elefsina airport.
“It was very dangerous. People were disappearing around us, houses, property. We couldn’t stay any longer. We were in danger at any moment even during our transition to the airport,” says Athina Pateli, who managed to return with her family.
“We felt bad all the time. The nights were tragic,” says Simona, while her daughter, who worked in a hospital, said access, most of the time, was impossible.
The chronicle of repatriation
“I was pleased to be informed that the mission undertaken by the Ministry of National Defence to safely transport our Greek and Cypriot fellow citizens from Beirut airport has been completed, proving once again that our Armed Forces can carry out such missions wherever necessary, and above all to protect our fellow citizens, Greeks and Cypriots,” the Prime Minister said from Orestiada, where he is.
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As noted earlier by National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, the operation was successful and led to the rescue of 22 Greeks and 38 Cypriots from Beirut.
Dendias congratulated those who contributed to the operation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement
With the care of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the repatriation operation of 60 citizens of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus and their family members was safely completed today, Thursday, October 3.
Our Embassy in Beirut remains fully prepared to provide all possible consular assistance to Greeks living in Lebanon.
