Thirty Tongan nationals have been safely evacuated from Israel, including some from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, on a 61 passengers flight to London, chartered by the Tongan Government.
The flight departed at 1:38pm (Israel time) on Saturday 14 October, and landed at Stanstead Airport in England Sunday morning (Tonga time).
They were accompanied by Major Kaho from the Tonga High Commission in London. The passengers will arrange their own flights out of London, stated Tonga’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Upon arrival in London, they were welcomed by the High Commissioner of Tonga to the Court of St James, Fanetupouvavaú Tuívakano.
They were also hosted to an evening of prayer and thanksgiving at the Official Residence, Greenbanks, in the presence of HRH Pilolevu, and Lord Tuita, hosted by the Tonga High Commissioner in London and Major Kiu Kaho.
Meanwhile, Tonga’s Prime Minister acknowledged the help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and the Prime Minister’s Office for their successful mission in evacuating Tongans from the war zone.
SOURCE: TONGA WIRES/PACNEWS
