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.
Lynn Williams breaks NWSL goal
Schauffele shoots 67 to take Wells Fargo lead. McIlroy in contention again at Quail Hollow
Rangers get Chytil back in lineup for Game 3 against Hurricanes after lengthy absence
Sudanese paramilitary forces have carried out ethnic cleansing in Darfur, rights group says
JoJo Siwa goes wild: Karma singer accused of getting drunk at Disney World after turning 21
Rafael Nadal shows he's not quite ready for retirement in a comeback win at the Italian Open
From Jabba the Hutt and Teletubby Hill to Drinking Dinosaur and the Wedding Cake
Ireland's Eurovision entry Bambie Thug slams organisers for making the singer remove pro
Forensic psychiatrist reveals the different types of stalkers
Saints sign their top draft choice, offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga
'Real life' Martha from Baby Reindeer's million
FIFA urged to review congested calendar or face legal action from player unions and leagues