Australia, New Zealand evacuate citizens from New Caledonia’s unrest
VOV correspondent in Australia -
(VOVWORLD) -The Australian and New Zealand governments announced Tuesday they were sending planes to evacuate their nationals from violence-wracked New Caledonia.
 New Zealand sends a plane on May 21 to evacuate 50 of its nationals from Noumea (Photo: NZDF) |
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed on the social media platform X on Tuesday that Australia had received clearance from French authorities for two flights to evacuate citizens and other tourists from New Caledonia.
New Zealand also announced it was sending a plane Tuesday to evacuate 50 of its nationals from Noumea, the Pacific island’s capital, the first of a series of proposed flights to bring its citizens home. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country, in cooperation with France and Australia, are working on subsequent flights in coming days.
France has sent 1,000 armed police, troops, and national security reinforcements to its overseas territory to restore control and open a safe route to the international airport in New Caledonia's capital Noumea.
VOV correspondent in Australia