[Updated at 5:28 p.m.: Nineteen University of California students, including UCLA students studying abroad in Egypt, were evacuated from the African country earlier today, according to a statement from the University of California Office of the President.
Evacuation efforts began after political protests against the Egyptian government began to escalate into violence.
The evacuation efforts also included parents, UC faculty and an 11-member archeological team from UCLA working on a dig 200 miles south of Cairo, according to the statement.
Gregory Areshian, assistant director of the Cotsen Institute of Archeology at UCLA, which sends a bulk of the students who study in Egypt through UCLA, ensured that all of the UCLA students studying abroad under university programs will be returning home.
All students are safe and accounted for and have been taken to Barcelona, Spain.
The students are expected to return to California later this week, according to university officials.]
UCLA students studying abroad in Egypt are being evacuated Feb. 1.
They are safe and accounted for and will leave Cairo for Barcelona, Spain, said Gregory Areshian, assistant director of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA.
Though Areshian’s comments about the situation were limited because communication with Egypt has been restricted, Areshian did ensure that all of the students studying abroad in Egypt through UCLA programs will be returning home.
Most of the UCLA students are part of the Egypt field school operated by the Cotsen Institute.
Further information will be released once the students safely reach Barcelona and communication is reestablished with them.