786 more Chinese nationals headed back home Thursday from Malta taking three chartered flights of China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines.

The third plane carrying 273 evacuees took off from Malta International Airport late Thursday, bringing the total number of Chinese nationals back home from Malta to 4,847.

A total of some 4,860 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Libya to the Mediterranean island of Malta by three chartered vessels since February 26.

Another chartered flight is expected on Friday, bringing the evacuation operation on this Mediterranean island to a close, according to the Chinese embassy in Malta.