The 24 Jamaican students who endured a 20km trek to the border between Ukraine and Poland today (February 27) have reportedly made it across.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding, in a Twitter post tonight, revealed that he had been informed by the students that they were now in Poland.

TEAM TO MEET STUDENTS

Said Golding: “Good night Jamaica! I’ve been reliably informed by some of the students that they have safely crossed into Poland. They can finally get some rest after the long & arduous journey. Next stop Yaad 🇯🇲 let’s continue to support them on their journey home. What courage!”

The news comes as a relief as reports circulating on social media today suggested that persons of African descent were being prevented from crossing the border.

While the reports have been disputed, despite video suggesting there may be truth to the rumours, they would have stirred concern that the Jamaicans might have faced some trouble getting through the checkpoints as well.

Earlier today, however, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith said she did not anticipate the Jamaicans facing any issues as Poland’s foreign affairs ministry had been notified that they would be arriving and had their names.

The minister had also noted that Jamaica’s Charge d’Affaires in Berlin Deniese Sealey and a team were on their way to the border with a heated bus to greet the students once they got to the Poland side.

At the time, Johnson Smith said two of the students were feeling unwell. One of them, who was suffering from exposure to the cold weather, was being treated in an ambulance.

READ: Jamaican students fleeing Ukraine arrive at border crossing but one impacted by cold seeks treatment in ambulance