Pro cyclist Negasi Haylu Abreha, 20, has been unable to return to his hometown of Mek’ele, Ethiopia since early November, when political violence broke out there and in the surrounding Tigray region. Abreha is the Ethiopian national road race champion, and he’s currently in his second year with Team Qhubeka’s pro continental team, NTT Continental. Team staff member Martina Alessandri contacted airport officials and was able to get Abreha’s luggage unloaded from the plane. Abreha traveled back to the team’s rental house in Lucca, Italy; the lease, however, was up at the end of November. “I am very scared for my family and friends,” Abreha said in the team’s statement.

Source: Ethiopian News February 12, 2021 19:52 UTC