160 people evacuated from Afghan capital reach Istanbul

Afghans continue to wait around the Hamid Karzai International Airport as they try to flee the Afghan capital of Kabul, Afghanistan on August 21, 2021 [Sayed Khodaiberdi Sadat – Anadolu Agency]

Some 160 people, including Turkish citizens and foreign nationals, evacuated from Afghanistan’s capital Kabul arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, Anadolu Agency reported.

They were first taken to Pakistan on a Turkish Air Force transport plane and then brought to Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight.

The Turkish citizens among the evacuees have been directed to quarantine at their homes, while the foreign nationals have been placed in hotels.

The Turkish Air Force also flew out 204 more Turkish nationals from Kabul in two groups, with 104 citizens evacuated on Saturday and 100 late on Friday.

The unexpected power grab by the Taliban has triggered a rush to flee Afghanistan, including civilians who assisted foreign soldiers or groups and now fear retribution.

READ: US to expand evacuation flights from Kabul to Europe

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