The TCG Bayraktar departed from Beirut, where the evacuation took place, and docked at the port of Mersin, bringing 588 evacuees who will disembark after procedures are completed.

The second ship, TCG Sancaktar, is also on its way to Mersin, expected to arrive shortly with an additional 378 civilians onboard.

Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran, Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan, and other officials welcomed those disembarking from the first ship. At the welcome ceremony, Duran expressed immense satisfaction in safely bringing back the civilians after their arduous journey.

«These two ships also delivered nearly 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Beirut. We continue to process evacuation requests received through our consulate’s call center,» Duran stated.

«If necessary, we are prepared to organize additional evacuations based on future applications,» he added.

According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, about 1,900 Turkish citizens expressed their desire to leave Lebanon. A total of 966 people, including 878 Turkish citizens and 24 from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), were evacuated by the Turkish ships.