71 nationals stranded in Turkey arrive
Date
7/20/2016 12:51:26 AM
(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat-
Seventy-one Omani nationals returned from Turkey on Monday night on board a special Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) aircraft, according to an official from the
Ministry of Defence.
had directed concerned authorities to take measures to ensure the safe return of citizens stranded in Istanbul following an unsuccessful coup attempt in Turkey last week. Majid bin Hamad al Hosni, one of the relieved
Sultan Qaboos bin Said for our safe return and RAFO for their quick response to the call of stranded citizens in Turkey.' Saleh bin Ali al Shueili, another rescued citizen added, 'I thank His Majesty the Sultan and concerned authorities for their support since the beginning of crisis in Turkey. 'The Omani Embassy in Ankara has done a great job in ensuring our safe return.' Rashid bin Khalifa al Hosni, a delighted passenger said, 'I was overwhelmed when I learnt that a special aircraft is being sent to bring us back home. It was an indescribable feeling for us to return on board a special RAFO aircraft.' Lt Col Mohammed bin Salem al Hajri, the pilot of the special aircraft said, 'This task is not new to RAFO. We have always been assigned such missions like evacuation or helping citizens in exceptional circumstances. 'The task was smoothly carried out as a result of coordination between RAFO, the authorities in Oman and Turkey.'