More than 2,300 people were evacuated from Sudan by the British government, the Foreign Office confirming that the last flight out of Port Sudan departed on May 3 and that “no more would be running”.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverley insisted the efforts of the UK government resulted in “the largest airlift by any Western nation”, with British nationals, their dependents, Sudanese NHS staff and other nationalities flown out of the African nation, arriving back in Britain via Cyprus.

The evacuations followed the outbreak of violence in the third largest country in Africa on April 15, Khartoum descending into crisis with rival military factions battling on the streets of the capital. Initial evacuation flights organised by the British military followed several days’ later, leaving from an airstrip close to Khartoum, the operation then moving to the eastern coastal city of Port Sudan, which has been less affected by the fighting that has escalated across the country.

Speaking ahead of the last flights departing, the Foreign Secretary said: “With thanks to the extraordinary efforts of staff and military, the UK has brought 2,197 (figure at the time) people to safety from Sudan so far – the largest airlift by any Western nation. As the focus turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, we will continue do all we can to press for a long-term ceasefire and an immediate end to the violence in Sudan.”

For those British nationals still in the country, Foreign Office advice is that unscheduled chartered ships will be operating from Port Sudan to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. If you are a British national in Sudan, there remains a Foreign Office presence in Port Sudan at the Coral Hotel (what3words: number.rhino.displays), with representatives who may be able to direct people to other options for departure.