ATHENS, Greece (AP) — With the violence in Libya escalating to its worst level since the 2011 ouster of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, governments from around the world are scrambling to evacuate their citizens from the country, many seeking help from nearby Greece.

A Greek government official told The Associated Press Thursday that a merchant vessel has been chartered by the Chinese government for the evacuation of “hundreds” of its citizens, but gave no further details. The official asked not to be named because details of the operation are still being finalized.