The wife of a British cardiologist trapped in Sudan has described the agonising wait for his safety as "the toughest days of my life". Manal Mekki said she was on the phone to her husband, Dr Eltigani Abdelaal, when fighting broke out in Khartoum on 15 April.
Dr Abdelaal was visiting his mother near the capital's airport and was due to return to Manchester that day. Mrs Mekki told BBC North West Tonight that she heard a "loud booming" during the call, and he told her something serious was happening before the line went dead.
He later called to say the airport had been hit and he would not be coming home. Mrs Mekki said her two daughters began crying uncontrollably, and she spent days trying to contact relatives for any news.
The cardiologist was eventually flown to Cyprus on an RAF rescue flight. He contacted his wife at 08:00 BST to confirm he was safe, leaving her "incredibly relieved" but still concerned for loved ones remaining in Sudan.
The unrest follows a power struggle within Sudan's military leadership. The UK, US and EU have called for a ceasefire, while several countries are working to evacuate their citizens.
