Sudan: Flights to rescue Brits stuck abroad heard in Sussex

A resident has described the moment they heard the "gentle but distinct hum of a military aircraft" on its way to Sudan, to rescue British nationals stuck in the conflict-stricken nation.

The Government announced it would be launching evacuation flights from the country from today, as violent conflict erupted in the African nation.

The Government has begun a large-scale evacuation of British passport holders from Sudan on RAF flights. Priority will be given to the most vulnerable, including families with children and the elderly.

I pay tribute to the British Armed Forces, diplomats and Border Force staff…

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 25, 2023

Around 1,400 military personnel are involved in the evacuation effort, which involves A400M and C-130 Hercules transport planes which have made their way to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where the operation is based.

A map of the evacuation operation (Image: PA)

Crisis management expert Sheena Thomson, shared the moment she heard the huge rescue aircraft overhead on social media platform Linkedin.

She said: "I live by the sea on the Sussex coast.  During the night it is usually very quiet. 

"At around 1.30 am early on Sunday I woke to the gentle but distinct hum of a military aircraft and thought 'That sounds like a fat Albert' [C130 plane]

"I opened Flight Radar 24 and sure enough, it was an RAF transport Airbus A400M Atlas – and it was on track to the Southern Mediterranean."

Another A400m plane was spotted last night near Worthing - but its propellors could be heard as far away as Brighton, some twelve miles away.

The route of the military plane over Sussex (Image: ADSBexchange)

The conflict in Sudan erupted on April 15 as opposing military factions, the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, clashed.

A 72-hour ceasefire has been agreed for today - which the UK is using to evacuate its citizens.

But Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said: "We will maintain this airhead for as long as we can but the situation does remain dangerous and volatile.

"This is an active conflict, the ceasefire has been announced but we know there have been pockets of violence even within previous ceasefires.

“So this does remain dangerous, this does remain difficult. We are providing what assistance we can and we are operating as quickly as we can.”