Buxton man stranded in Peru by coronavirus appeals to embassy for more help

Edd Webster, 28, was trapped in the South American state’s capital Lima when the military sealed its airport last weekend.

Data analyst Edd estimates he is one of over 400 fellow Brits marooned in the country after collecting data on those in the same situation through a Whatsapp group.

Edd told how the British embassy had contacted him saying an airline was offering a chartered flight costing £3,000 from Lima as long as ‘there is sufficient demand’.

However the 28-year-old fears many of those stranded will not have the money to meet the steep price of a ticket and they will remain stuck in the country indefinitely.

Meanwhile French travellers have been provided with flights back home priced at just under £1,000.

Edd said: “We’re not asking for anyone to pay for our flights home.

“I’m just very worried that people will not be able to be able to pay - there are just too many of us here for that price to be a real option.

“It just shows a real lack of effort from the British embassy and my biggest concern is that there are people all over Peru we don’t know about.

“We’re all very concerned that there’s no dialogue between the British and Peruvian governments.”

Edd, who arrived in Peru at the end of February to visit his girlfriend, says he is lucky as he is staying with a native family.

He added that many others aged just 18 or 19 years old were stuck in hostels with money running out.

He said: “We’re only allowed to go out to buy food or essential things but you can’t travel - there’s a curfew in place from 8pm-5am.

“I haven’t been out - there’s soldiers on the street and military force police - but I’m one of the lucky ones.”

The Buxton man flew out to Peru around the time Burbage Primary School closed due to a Covid-19 infection saying ‘I should never have got on the plane’.

He told how when news of the virus’ spread back home arrived he booked a flight back to the UK which would have departed on Tuesday this week if the airports had not closed.

Edd said: “We just don’t believe this is a good enough attempt to get everyone out.

“We know this is a difficult time for everyone but we’re stuck here and need to talk about it.

“We’re not asking for anyone to pay but we need a realistic solution.”