Corinthia evacuates workers to Malta, supplies food to ferries in Tripoli harbour

The Corinthia Group said today that expatriate employees and their dependants have been evacuated from the Corinthia Hotel Tripoli and Palm City Residences just outside the Libyan capital.

The employees are from several nationalities and have been brought over to Malta via air and sea.

The evacuation was coordinated by a task force set up at Corinthia’s Head Office in Malta.

Both the hotel and Palm City Residences remain operational, however.

The Group said it was closely following events in Libya, basing its action on its responsibilities to secure the welfare of its staff and clients and providing any humanitarian assistance that resources in the country allow.

It said it had also been supplying catering to various commercial vessels docked in Tripoli Harbour awaiting weather conditions to improve prior to departing for Malta.

Hundreds of expatriates spent long hours on board the Maltese catamarans as well as other vessels awaiting departure, with Corinthia providing food and drink on an ongoing basis.

"Corinthia continues to maintain constant communication with a nucleus of personnel who are continuing to manage our interests in Libya professionally and as appropriate under the circumstances," the Group said.

It thanked the Maltese embassy in Tripoli, the Maltese authorities and the international teams for their support over the past few days, including the coordination of evacuation ferries and air lifts, as well as the issuing of visas.

Subsidiary Company Mediterranean Investments Holding p.l.c. in a statement to the Stock Exchange on Friday said that Palm City Residences remain operational, albeit with a reduced number of personnel given the temporary relocation of a number of the tenants. To date, no contracts have been terminated and MIH confirmed that the existing 282 signed contracts are still in full effect, most of which are paid for 12 months in advance.