France repatriates more than 150 Europeans stranded in Panama and Honduras

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Paris has chartered a flight to repatriate more than 150 European nationals from Panama and Honduras. Another flight is scheduled for Wednesday.

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They were stranded in Panama or Honduras after their flight was canceled due to the coronavirus epidemic. More than 150 European nationals were able to be repatriated Monday from Central America thanks to a flight to Paris chartered by France.

The French ambassador to Panama, Brice Roquefeuil, welcomed "  a vast effort of coordination  " with his partners from the European Union.

Among the passengers are 59 French, 27 Spanish, 18 German, 12 Italian and 10 Dutch, among other nationalities represented.

Another flight to bring passengers back in good sanitary conditions

The plane left from Panama City embarked about sixty passengers during a stopover in San Pedro Sula, in the northwest of Honduras.

The project was originally to repatriate 300 people of 22 European nationalities, but the regulations in force in France forced to divide the quota in two to respect the recommended distance between passengers. The French Embassy in Panama therefore announced a second flight for this Wednesday. "  Some passengers will have to stay overnight at the hotel to take a second flight, which will comply with the new provisions to transport everyone in good sanitary conditions  ," confirmed the French ambassador.

►Read also: In Central America, the coronavirus reduces organized crime

(with AFP)

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• France
• European Union
• Panama
• Coronavirus
• Transport

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