News - Story - Lebanon

News - Story - Lebanon Evacuation

The conflict between Israel and Lebanon which started a with Hezbollah raid into Israel has grown serious. Missiles have rained down in Israel and there has been major infrastucture damage to the airport, the seaport and bridges in Lebanon. Many countries have started evacuating their citizens. This story documents the British evacuation by sea and air.

Wednesday July 12th (2006)
Israel attacks Lebanon after the Hezbollah raid on Israel.

Monday July 17th
63 people were evacuated by Chinook helicopter to Cyprus.

Tuesday July 18th
The evacuation has begun in earnest as the two destroyers have arrived, the other ships are en route. One of the destroyers, HMS Gloucester has docked in Beirut.

Wednesday 19th
I heard that HMS Gloucester had evacuated 180 people to Cyprus.

Thursday 20th
I heard that HMS York had docked (yesterday) at Beirut to evacuate people. HMS Bulwark has arrived in Beirut and is taking on around 1300 evacuees. Others were taken by helicopter to HMS Illustrious. More helicopters should be arriving in Cyprus to help with the evacuation.

Friday 21st
HMS Bulwark arrived safely at Limassol, Cyprus carrying around 1300 evacuees. I heard that RFA Fort Victoria is refueling the other ships involved in the evacuation when required.

Sunday 23rd
I heard that about 4400 British citizens have been evacuated from Lebanon.



The Fleet
This is a list of the ships involved in the evacuation.
Pennant Class Name
F83 Type 23 Frigate HMS St Albans
D96 Type 42 Destroyer (batch 3) HMS Gloucester
D98 Type 42 Destroyer (batch 3) HMS York
L15 Albion Class LPD HMS Bulwark
R06 Invincible Class Aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious
A387 Fleet Replenishment Ship RFA Fort Victoria




Royal Navy shipping seen in the River Mersey
Royal Navy - official web site

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