Government charters flight to bring Costa Ricans home from Puerto Rico

The Costa Rican government has arranged a flight for approximately 65 Ticos in Puerto Rico who have asked for assistance in returning to their country in the wake of Hurricane María.

A chartered humanitarian flight is scheduled to depart Puerto Rico on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 11:45 am, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry. When it arrives in Costa Rica, the flight will be met at a government air base in Alajuela by officials and passengers’ families.

This is the first time Costa Rica has ever conducted a humanitarian flight of this kind, the statement said.

“Because of the limited electrical supply and communications on the island, we resorted to the media, social media and other alternatives to contact Costa Ricans in Puerto Rico through our Honorary Consul,” said Foreign Minister Manuel González Sanz.

News of the humanitarian flight came as Costa Rica reeled in the wake of Tropical Storm Nate, which caused deaths, flooding and displacement around the country on Thursday. Read more about Costa Rica’s continuing heavy rains here.

Blacked-out buildings are seen in a San Juan tourist zone on Oct. 4. The only visible lights are in buildings that have generators. AFP PHOTO / Ricardo Arduengo