Reported by: Emon CRWENewswire Correspondent

Today, on Monday the first of two charter planes carrying citizens of the United States out of chaotic Egypt, landed in Cyprus, the beginning of what could be a lengthy evacuation effort amid escalating unrest across the country.

According to the US State Department, at least 2 flights carrying 219 Americans between them, were able to take off before Egypt’s 3 pm curfew went into effect.

According to the reports the first flight, carrying 42 people, landed in Cyprus, and the second, carrying 177 Americans, took off Monday for Athens, Greece, but had not yet landed.

The United States Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Janice Jacobs, said that with at least 2,400 people seeking evacuation as of Monday morning, getting all US citizens out of the country could take some time, and said people should be prepared for a very long wait.

It is reported that the US flights were part of a broadening effort by governments around the world to transport their citizens out of Egypt, where widespread demonstrations against the government have led to clashes between protesters and police, looting and other dangers.

Until now, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Turkey, India and Israel have staged or announced evacuation flights, about 52,000 US citizens were estimated to be in Egypt.

Jacobs said about 2,400 have asked for help getting out of the country but she said she expected those numbers to go up as the unrest continues.

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