German aircraft evacuates 58 Canadians from Sudan: Trudeau

TRENTON, Canada

A German aircraft evacuated 58 Canadians from Sudan on Monday while another plane is on standby to airlift more as violence escalates in the North African country.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement in Ottawa at a press photo opportunity with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on an official visit to Canada.

"I just heard earlier today that a German plane lifted off from Khartoum with one German citizen on it and 58 Canadian citizens," Trudeau said. "We have a C-17 (Canadian plane) in the region too, and we will be airlifting as well."

The evacuation comes after Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said earlier in the day that “like-minded countries” were prepared to help others take flight from Sudan.

Over the past 10 days, more than 420 have died, including at least 273 civilians, and thousands more injured as Sudan’s armed forces and paramilitary troops failed to reach a power-sharing arrangement. The capital of Khartoum was the scene of heavy fighting Monday.

There is looting of both businesses and homes, while food and fuel supplies are escalating in price and are in short supply. It is reported that hospitals are near collapse.

There are about 1,600 Canadians registered with the Canadian embassy in Sudan. The embassy halted consular services on Sunday.

Canadian diplomats have left Sudan.

While the Canadian government has not said how that was accomplished, the New York Times reported on Sunday that US special forces evacuated the Canadians, along with 70 American diplomats and some from other countries, the Canadian Press said.