Senate Democrat says nearly 800 evacuated after being stranded in Afghanistan

Senator Richard Blumenthal on Thursday said that nearly 800 Americans and Afghans who were stranded in Afghanistan have made it safely to Qatar.

According to The Hill, the Democrat from Connecticut said two planes were chartered by international development organization Sayara International, in order to fly the civilians out of Mazar-i-Sharif airport.

Blumenthal thanked volunteers and aid workers for helping with the evacuation, as well as the governments of Albania and Qatar. 

Previously, house Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said that in early September the Taliban were preventing people from fleeing the country. Secretary of State Anthony Blnken said two days later that he wasn’t aware of any situation, and that Americans and Afghans with correct travel documentation were being allowed to leave.

“We have been assured, again, that all American citizens and Afghan citizens with valid travel documents will be allowed to leave,” Blinken added.

The State Department said that it has worked to help people leave Afghanistan following the government collapse to the Taliban.

"Since late last month, we have assisted 105 U.S. citizens and 95 lawful permanent residents to depart," spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Monday.