Travellers use new access route

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 August 1999, 10:30 GMT]
Seven seriously ill patients from the Vanni came through the safe passage opened today at Mankulam on the A9. The 500 civilians who were taken from the Vavuniya for the crossing are in the process of moving through the safe passage to the side held by the Liberation Tigers now said sources.

The crossing started later than scheduled as the civilians had arrived at the crossing point around 1.15 p.m. they said.

ICRC spokesman Harasha Gunawardana told TamilNet that 412 civilians were escorted across the safe passage on the A9 at Mankulam this afternoon and that seven seriously ill patients were brought over from the areas of the Vanni held by the Liberation Tigers.

He said that the cross loading is currently taking place at a designated spot and that the lorries will be able to make the crossing later this afternoon.

Mr.Gunawardana said that the ICRC hopes to continue escorting the crossing tomorrow as well.

He said the ICRC hopes to bring mail from the Vanni and will also take mail bags across to the LTTE held areas tomorrow.

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