Flee from hell

Thousands of Brits in Sudan to be rescued

-  CHRIS HUGHES Defence and Security Editor, BEN GLAZE Deputy Political Editor and JOHN STEVENS Political Editor

A FRANTIC evacuation to save thousands of stranded Britons in war-ravaged Sudan is under way.

More than 120 elite UK troops are in charge of the race-against-time airlift, amid a volatile three-day ceasefire.

Families faced a terrifying journey unescorted to Wadi Saeedna military airfield outside the capital Khartoum after being told to "sit tight" for days.

It followed claims the Foreign Office failed to act on early signs of the civil war that erupted 10 days ago.

There were reports of clashes in Khartoum, including thefts and carjackings, possibly by escaped inmates.

The first UK mercy flight carrying around 40 people landed in Cyprus last night, with two more evacuation flights planned to follow.

Royal Marines are scoping a possible maritime extraction point at the Port of Sudan - 500 miles from Khartoum.