TOKYO: Japanese nationals and others evacuated from Sudan have arrived in Djibouti, a senior Japanese diplomat said Monday afternoon local time.

The 45 people, namely 41 Japanese nationals and four family members, had left Sudan aboard a Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft, State Foreign Minister Shunsuke Takei told reporters in the northeastern African country of Djibouti.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the evacuees include Sudanese, U.S. and Canadian nationals and 12 minors.

Among the evacuees are nongovernmental organization officials, staff of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA, and workers at the Japanese Embassy in the Sundanese capital of Khartoum.

Takei said that the evacuees “looked very tired but appear to have no major health problems.”

He also said that arrangements will be made to return them home if they wish.

The evacuees traveled from Khartoum to Port Sudan, where they left on an Air SDF C-2 transport aircraft for Djibouti.

Takei did not disclose how they traveled from Khartoum to Port Sudan for security reasons, while saying that they “moved in a safe and well-protected manner.”

He expressed “heartfelt gratitude” for the support from the United States, Britain, Germany, France, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United Nations for the evacuation.

“We’ve successfully carried out the evacuation,” Takei said. “We applaud efforts by embassy and SDF staff.”

In Sudan, fighting continued between the country’s regular military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group.

Takei said that the government is in contact with remaining Japanese nationals in Sudan and stands ready to make utmost efforts to help those wishing to leave the country.

Japanese officials at the embassy have all evacuated from Sudan. The ministry has closed the embassy and set up a temporary office in Djibouti.

Japanese Ambassador to Sudan Hattori Takashi and the embassy staff are expected to work at the temporary office for the time being to provide support for Japanese nationals.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio Kishida told reporters in Tokyo that eight more Japanese nationals and family members in Sudan have newly fled the country with the support from France.

JIJI Press