Amid a massive protests against President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, more than 200 Shenzhen citizens were stranded at Cairo airport when flights were canceled or delayed, leaving them unable to leave because of a government-imposed curfew in the capital.
The 227 passengers were from Shenzhen OCT International Service, Bonanza China Travel Service and Shenzhen Tese International Travel Service, Shenzhen tourism authority said yesterday.
"The passengers are safe, but they face a shortage of water and food. Travel agencies will arrange their return to China as soon as possible," said Qiu Gan, chief of the tourism coordination department of the tourism authority.
The administration also issued a notice Sunday suspending organized tours to Egypt.
Shenzhen OCT International Travel Service said it had contacted Chinese Embassy in Egypt and attempted to enlist the aid of Hainan Airlines to carry 66 passengers home.
Also stranded at the airport were 46 primary school pupils from Dongchuan Road Primary School in Guangzhou. They had been invited to attend a musical performance at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and planned to return Jan. 29.
The unrest has claimed at least 150 lives in six days.
(By Han Ximin)
