German shot on way to Kabul airport amid scramble to escape Taliban
Friday, 20 August 2021 (16:26 IST)
A German man was shot while traveling to the airport in Kabul and is being treated, a German government spokesperson said.
The person, described as a civilian, is being treated and is not in a life-threatening condition.
"A German civilian suffered a gunshot wound on his way to Kabul airport. He is receiving medical attention, but his life is not in danger and he will be flown out soon," deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer said.
German military sending helicopters to Kabul
The German military is sending two special forces helicopters to Kabul to assist with evacuations, reported German news magazine Der Spiegel.
The choppers are specially designed for hostage rescues and can land in tightly packed cities.
The German Bundeswehr plans on using the helicopters to airlift small groups out of the Kabul airport and other Taliban-controlled areas in Afghanistan, Der Spiegel reported.
German military aircraft have so far evacuated more than 1600 people since Monday.
German politicians have been calling for more evacuation flights, particularly in areas outside of Kabul.
There have been growing calls in recent days from German politicians for evacuations to be carried out in other parts of the country.
