Two Greek ferries departed the Libyan port city of Benghazi on Thursday, evacuating upwards of 5,000 people - mostly Chinese nationals - from the strife-torn country, officials said, DPA reported.
Greek coast guard officials said the two vessels were now steaming towards the island of Crete.
On board were some 4,600 Chinese nationals along with 30 Thais and 30 European Union nationals, chiefly Greeks and Cypriots.
In the days ahead, Greek ferries were to be evacuating some 15,000 Chinese nationals under a request by Beijing. Special charter planes will then fly them back to China, Greek state radio reported.
Meanwhile three Greek Air Force transport planes left Athens on Thursday to aid in evacuating Greek and other European Union nationals from Libya.