Three tourists from the Spanish group of 18, who were trapped in armed conflict in northern Ethiopia, described their fear and desperation when they had to take shelter in a hotel on their arrival in Valencia. With “little knowledge” available, they lament “abandonment” They suffered from the Spanish embassy.
This family, consisting of Mauro Fernández, Tina Peris, and their 13-year-old daughter Patricia, was welcomed by the woman’s brother and niece at the Valencia airport and died for the first time in 1999. the first Spaniards of the group landed Spain, as the rest are scheduled to arrive by plane to Madrid and Barcelona this afternoon.
It was a “difficult experience” and the biggest fear was for the junior’s safety, who behaved “like a champion, with serenity and integrity, just like an adult” even though he didn’t want to go back at the moment. Mauro left for Ethiopia after the “emotional ups and downs” the family had to go through, Mauro told reporters.
Mauro assured if it was through the Spanish embassy. “we are still there”and said that the ambassador never contacted them during any of the eleven days they spent at the hotel, they only spoke directly to the Barcelona consul.
In this case, they came to the conclusion that they had to move on their own to return to Spain, and this was the Kananga travel agency. local agency, contacts they manage departure of tourists.
They told the consul last Thursday that they would try to leave with a convoy on the highway, but eventually got on a helicopter and evacuated themselves.
The armed conflict in the region forced them to take shelter in a hotel after the driver of the bus they were traveling with. decided to step back from the situation in which he was warned If the journey continues and they take shelter at a nearby gas station, gunshots start coming from there.
“We threw ourselves on the floor of the bus, we were so scared” and from there they were taken to a “very basic” hotel with no running water and food provided. based solely on carbohydrates, because supplies Although they were grateful for the treatment they received in this establishment where they lived with three chickens, a rooster and a goat, they did not come because of the conflicts.
Despite their fears, they felt that the riots were “not ours” and their concern was how long they should stay where they have been since August 2.
Mauro stated that, as he assured the embassy, this organization’s website warned against the recommendation not to travel to the region. “After a day” they warned of the situation that person lived in northern Ethiopia, that is, on August 3, not earlier.
They were happy to return to their lands and thanked their families for informing them of the situation of the group. I apologize for the anxiety it has caused you.. They also thanked the Spanish media for watching their stay in Ethiopia.