The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) KC-30 aircraft took off from Beirut, the Lebanese capital. at 1:18 pm (Brasília time) this Saturday (5) with 229 Brazilians and 3 pets on board.
According to a note from the federal government, a stopover in Lisbon (Portugal) is planned for refueling before takeoff to Brazil.
The aircraft is expected to land this Sunday morning (6), around 10 am, at the São Paulo Air Base, in Guarulhos, where the repatriates will be received by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The flight is part of the first phase of the federal government’s Operation Raízes do Cedro, to repatriate Brazilians.
The aircraft arrived in Beirut at 11:22 am (Brasília time). The plane left Lisbonin Portugal, early in the morning.
It is estimated that 20 thousand Brazilians live in Lebanese territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) accounts around 3 thousand Brazilians who want to leave the countryamid the escalation of military operations by the Israeli Armed Forces.
The repatriation was scheduled for Friday (4), but was postponed to analyze safety conditions. On Thursday night, Israeli bombings towards Lebanon were intensified. Even areas close to Beirut airport were affected.
*Article was updated at 2:57 pm
