2,500 Afghan evacuees depart Germany for US since weekend

Flights of Afghan evacuees to the US from Ramstein Air Base in Germany have resumed, with more than 2,500 departing on nine flights since Saturday, a base spokesperson said on Tuesday, reported dpa.

About 6,000 Afghans were still waiting to leave, 1,600 of whom were due to fly out on Tuesday.

The onward flights to the US were interrupted for several weeks because a few cases of measles had been detected. About 8,800 people were then vaccinated against that disease, and also received a vaccination for the coronavirus.

"Since the operation began on August 20, 2021, more than 34,800 evacuees have been processed through Ramstein Air Base," the spokesperson said. "To date, more than 28,500 Afghan evacuees have departed the air base for the United States or another safe haven."

Ramstein, in the west of Germany, is one of the largest US military bases outside America. Along with a base in Qatar it has been the main hub for onward travel of Afghans flown out by the US military after the Taliban took power.