30,000 escape through Tuwal crossing

Law enforcement authorities in the Kingdom arrested a person of European nationality who tried to enter the Tuwal border crossing into the Kingdom during evacuation operations of 500 Europeans, a local publication reported.
The man, wanted by police, tried to pass through a checkpoint at the Tuwal crossing. His name triggered a computer alert, showing he was wanted by the authorities. The man was handed over to the relevant authority for further procedures.
The Tuwal crossing, the only land border crossing for people fleeing Yemen, recorded the entrance of more than 30,000 people of different nationalities.
Director of Tuwal Passport Department Maj. Hassan Al-Smaili was quoted as saying by the media that Egyptians and Sudanese, followed by Filipinos, are the majority of nationals who have passed through the crossing since the beginning of Operation Decisive Storm.
"For the Syrians in particular, there are in place special and easy procedures because there are no diplomatic missions of their country to offer them services," said Al-Smaili.
With regard to Iraqi nationals, he said the first group of 45 people had already reached the Kingdom.
He noted that about 100 employees were working at the passport lounge to serve the foreigners who were evacuated in record time. He said the fingerprint system was being applied to people of all nationalities without exception.
The center for epidemiological surveillance at the crossing gives more than 900 shots a day to nationals of all ages who are being evacuated. The three vaccines are polio, measles and Nobivac Tricat Trio.
The nursing technician at the border checkpoint, Ibrahim Ateef, said the center works in three shifts, each rotating 10 doctors and nurses.
"There are also five ambulances of the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Red Crescent to transport patients with chronic diseases or those in need of advanced medical care," he added.
He said the majority of illnesses suffered by patients involve chronic diseases such as diabetes, stress and extreme fatigue.
In addition to the medical care offered by the border personnel, more than 60,000 meals have been served to passengers in the past 20 days, according to Finance Ministry official Ahmad Al-Harthi.