A tour operator in strife-torn Sudan has issued an assurance that a handful of clients in the country are safe.
Khartoum-based Italian Tourism Company Sudan said nine travellers and a guide were visiting a market but could not return to their hotels due to the latest outbreak of violence.
The nationalities of the holidaymakers was not disclosed but the company said they had been taken to a safe neighbourhood and were being looked after by a Sudanese family.
In a statement made to the African Travel & Tourism Association, a company spokesperson said: “As you may have heard, since last Saturday morning, the safety situation in Khartoum and Sudan has dramatically changed.
“In Khartoum office, we are safe, but we hear all the gunshots and blasts.
“Embassies are aware of all our guests in the country, and they will let us know what to do, when it will be safe to evacuate.
“In this very moment, the important thing is to stay safe, positive and pray for Sudan.
“It is difficult to say or to predict when this unexpected situation will end, nor to predict the future for the country.
“We are really hoping that by October we will be operating the usual enjoyable tours we are delivering since the year 2000.”
The comments came as the UK government came under pressure to rescue Britons stranded in Sudan after evacuating diplomats and their families.
A power struggle that erupted last week between Sudan’s regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has affected other parts of the country, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.
The Foreign Office advises against travel to Sudan “for security reasons”
Updated travel advice for the country said: “We are closely monitoring the situation in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan where there are ongoing military clashes.
“There is now fighting in various locations across Sudan. Khartoum international airport is currently closed.
“We continue to advise all British nationals in Sudan to stay indoors wherever possible. We recognise circumstances will vary in different locations. You should exercise your own judgement about your circumstances, including whether to relocate at your own risk.
“Make sure you have up-to-date travel documents and visas in case you need to leave at short notice.
“British nationals may be aware of unverified reports of independent convoys planning to depart Khartoum towards Port Sudan. The British Embassy has no involvement with these convoys and any British nationals who attempt to travel in one would do so at their own risk.
“British nationals will also have seen that we have now evacuated the embassy due to the specific threat to diplomats. We will no longer be able to provide in-person or in-country consular support.”