Crown Iris: Mano Maritime’s Cruise Ship Successfully Evacuates 2,000 Israelis from Cyprus to Ashdod

The cruise ship Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime, successfully evacuated approximately 2,000 Israeli nationals from Limassol, Cyprus, to Ashdod, Israel, earlier today. This marks the initiation of a coordinated effort between Mano Maritime and Israel’s Ministry of Transportation aimed at repatriating citizens stranded abroad.

Dubbed "Operation Safe Return," the maritime initiative is designed to facilitate the secure return of Israelis using sea routes. Upon arrival in Ashdod, evacuated passengers were welcomed by various officials, including Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and other key figures from the Ministry and Ashdod Port.

The Ministry of Transportation arranged ground transport with around 50 buses and minibuses ready to escort returnees to several destinations, including the Ashdod train station, Beersheba, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem—completely free of charge.

Maritime operations will continue as circumstances permit, with security assessments guiding the process. Officials emphasize that this voyage is just the first in a series of planned repatriation sailings in the upcoming days. Despite the challenging conditions they face, staff at Ashdod Port are dedicatedly maintaining essential port functions. Port CEO Nissan Levi highlighted the perseverance of personnel working under alert situations, often amidst sirens, a testament to the resilience shown during this national endeavor.

For more details, you can visit Crown Iris or Ashdod Port.

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