NZ AFS student evacuated from Tunisia

AFS exchange students in Tunis Tunisia, Louise Berwick (C) from Timaru. Photo / Supplied

A Timaru teenager caught up in Tunisia's violent uprising while on an AFS exchange has been evacuated to England.

Louise Berwick, 17 this week, went to Tunisia in August and was living with a family on the outskirts of the capital, Tunis, where long-term President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted 10 days ago.

At least 78 people had been killed since the start of the uprising in December, but the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights put the number at 117, including 70 killed by live fire.

AFS was monitoring the situation and last week recommended Ms Berwick leave the north African country.

On Saturday, she flew to Britain were she will stay with family for a couple of weeks while AFS try to arrange another exchange placement.

Ms Berwick yesterday said she could not do much during her last few days in Tunisia.

"Buses and metros weren't working and I couldn't leave my neighbourhood, so me and my (host) sister went to the Hammem (public bath houses) and I visited family members," she told The Timaru Herald.

"I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to my friends. But it is not really goodbye. I will go back. I have promised too many people and hold the country too close to my heart to leave forever."

- NZPA