WATCH ABOVE: As Jennifer Tryon reports, some of the estimated 462 Canadians in the country say they have struggled to find help.
The Canadian government will begin evacuating Canadians from earthquake-stricken Nepal after a Canadian Forces C-17 Globemaster aircraft arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Space on board the aircraft will be made available for Canadians wishing to leave Nepal when the aircraft departs, the Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) said in a statement on Tuesday.
The C-17 Globemaster aircraft was deployed from CFB Trenton the Disaster Assistance and Response Team (DART) and supplies to assist with the relief efforts.
DFATD spokesperson Amy Mills confirmed to Global News the initial flight will have the capacity to carry up to 100 passengers, adding both Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be eligible to leave Nepal on the flight.
“Non-Canadian immediate family members of Canadians and Permanent Residents – spouses and dependent children – may also be eligible,” Mills said in an email.
Nepal was hit with a devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake on Saturday that has claimed the lives of at least 5,000 people, injured almost 11,000 people and affected some 8 million others.
READ MORE: Frustration grows for Canadians following Nepal earthquake
DFATD said Monday 462 Canadians were registered as being in the Nepal when the earthquake struck, but that number was only an estimate as Canadian travellers are not required to register their visit to the country.
READ MORE: Comparing four countries’ communications in the wake of the Nepal earthquake
The flight will transport Canadian evacuees to New Delhi, India at which point individuals will be responsible for their own onward travel. Passengers aboard the flight will only be permitted to travel with one piece of carry-on luggage and all additional baggage will have to be left behind.
“Consular officials will assist Canadians in ensuring they are able to secure onward travel, entry requirements of any country they wish to travel to,” Mills added.
In an earlier statement on Tuesday, DFATD said Canadians wishing to confirm their interest in being evacuated should contact the 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa, by emailing sos@international.gc.ca or by calling +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls accepted).
Canadians in Nepal can also contact the Consulate of Canada in Kathmandu. The consulate is located at 47 Lal Darbar Marg or can be reached by phone, at +977 1-444-1976, or via email, at canadaconsul@mail.com.np.
Comments