Evacuees: "It was like in the movie"

A support group of the armed forces on Tuesday morning, 66 people with the transport plane Hercules C- evacuated 130 of Egypt to Vienna. Six to seven hours spent mostly non- Austrians on board the Hercules transport plane C- 130, many of them had to endure several hours previously on the Cairo airport.

Accordingly, had the tired faces of the newcomers. "It was like a movie," described a holiday maker in the situation in Cairo. The health condition of the passengers called the supervising physician, Signe Buck, as "good". Only one child had abdominal pain - "Probably more of a psychological problem," suggested Buck. According to the army were in addition to the one or two Austrians also German, French, British, Czechs, a Chilean and a Swiss on board.

A German holidaymaker summarizes her impressions: "It was like a movie." Really wanted the family to a meeting organized by the German Embassy Lufthansa Flight to fly back to their homes. By "accident" but it "is that this Austrian military aircraft" is to come. Your planned holiday in Marsa Alam, 250 km south of Hurghada ended, at least before he began.

After their arrival at Cairo airport, it was the woman and her family initially not possible to leave the building. A night at the airport - according to eye witnesses under precarious supply situation - caused them to "escape" in the Egyptian capital. "The already harsh there," said the woman. For Europeans, the idea of military helicopters and bullets everywhere was "unusual" and "inconceivable." The situation described in the airport, both the woman and her son as extremely "chaotic". For example, the entry into groceries was not allowed.

In a German living near Cairo, with their children also with the Hercules C- was evacuated 130, the initial information management criticized by the German Embassy. This would have responded to first inquiries with "banal" answers in organizing the evacuation had been one but maintained "super". A Swiss man who spent some time in Egypt, described his impressions as "good" and "interesting", even if there had been "frightening moments."

Members of the Armed Forces- Support group was the mood in the city and the airport Make building itself, no further details. "We the people have in the machine being received," said Buck. Overall, the support group felt the situation at the Cairo airport as "very quiet". "That was the only conspicuous that the streets in Cairo when crossing seemed very empty," said Chris Tesar, commander of the army- Insert. Also, the operations seemed normal, so Tesar. Delays, there was only caused by problems at passport control of passengers. After a brief stop in Athens - to change the crew and to refuel - landed the Hercules C- 130 on Tuesday in the morning in Vienna Schwechat.

Whether other army- Evacuation flights will take place, according to Peter Barthou hang, the press officer of the armed forces, from the Foreign Office: "Depending on where our assistance is needed, we will of course help out too." The coordination of placing collection lay with the State Department. Although it plans more flights, a precise date is not yet known.

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