Virtu Ferries' catamarans returning to Tripoli for more evacuees

Two Virtu Ferries' catamarans due to arrive from Tripoli this evening will return to the Libyan capital overnight to evacuate more workers, informed sources said.

The Maria Dolores, which takes 600 people, has been contracted by a private company to evacuate its workers while Virtu will be sending the San Gwann, which can carry 400 people, to be used by anyone who wanted to flee the country.

The two catamarans, chartered by the US government and an American company, left Tripoli just before 1 p.m. today and should be arriving in Malta soon.

They arrived in Tripoli on Wednesday and although boarding was smooth, their departure was delayed by two days because of bad weather.

They are carrying some 500 Americans, as well as, a number of Canadians and workers of other nationalities, including four Maltese. Arrangements for their trip were made by the Foreign Ministry.