Tuunisia-Brits stranded in Tunisia after airline refuses to fly amid coronavirus fears

The British government has been unable to evacuate citizens stranded in Tunisia after crews with a local airline refused to fly to Europe over fears of the coronavirus pandemic, the embassy said.

A number of UK nationals are stuck in the North African country after Tunisia suspended international flights and closed its land and maritime borders on 18 March.

While a number of nations had been able to organise emergency transport with the Tunisian government, crews with its national carrier Tunisair were not prepared to fly to Europe “on grounds of their individual safety and potential exposure,” the embassy said.

“Over the past few days, [we have] been working with the Tunisian government and Tunis Air to try to secure a flight to the UK,” an email sent to Middle East Eye read.

“However this option is now looking extremely difficult as Tunis Air are unable to find air crew who are prepared to fly to Europe on grounds of their individual safety and potential exposure.

“We will continue to look for ways to enable [UK nationals] to return to the UK as soon as is practically possible,” the statement added.