Australia, New Zealand send planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonia
Time:2024-05-22 01:47:30 Source:styleViews(143)
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — Australia and New Zealand sent airplanes to New Caledonia on Tuesday to begin bringing home stranded citizens from the violence-wracked French South Pacific territory.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia had received clearance from French authorities for two flights to evacuate citizens from the archipelago, where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Hours later, a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules touched down in Noumea, the capital. The plane can carry 124 passengers, according to the Defense Department.
“We continue to work on further flights,” Wong wrote on the social media platform X on Tuesday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said 300 Australians were in New Caledonia. It did not immediately confirm whether the Australian-organized flights would also evacuate other stranded foreign nationals, believed to number in the thousands.
Previous:Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment fails in acrimonious end to legislative session
Next:Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
You may also like
- Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
- An abortion rights initiative makes the ballot in conservative South Dakota
- Pennsylvania school district's decision to cut song from student concert raises concerns
- Messi napkin that sealed Barcelona move sells for $965,000 at auction
- 'Real life' Martha from Baby Reindeer's million
- Scottie Scheffler: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
- Klopp takes a walk down memory lane as he prepares for emotional final match as Liverpool manager
- PGA rainstorm could help Valhalla bite back after Schauffele's record start
- Colton Herta shows speed as Honda fights back in penultimate Indy 500 practice session