Dozens of Mauritians stranded in Bethlehem amid war

Dozens of Mauritian pilgrims are stranded in Bethlehem following the latest conflict between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, the foreign ministry said.

The group include 36 members, mainly from the Catholic parish of St-Hélène in the second biggest city of Curepipe.

Father Gérard Mongelard, who is accompanying them, said the parishioners are doing well and are currently staying in a hotel in Bethlehem.

They were due to take a flight on Sunday evening to Turkey, from where they were to return home.

However, many airlines cancelled flights in the wake of the Hamas military offensive on Israel