Australia and New Zealand sending planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonia's unrest
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/australia-new-zealand-sending-planes-evacuate-nationals-new-caledonia-rcna153212
Australia and New Zealand sending planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonias unrest
At least six people have died and hundreds more have been injured in the French Pacific territory since violence erupted last week over controversial electoral reforms.
May 21, 2024, 5:12 AM EDT / Source: The Associated Press
By The Associated Press
SYDNEY The Australian and New Zealand governments announced Tuesday they were sending planes to evacuate their nationals from violence-wracked New Caledonia.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed Australia had received clearance from French authorities for two flights to evacuate citizens and other tourists from New Caledonia amid violent unrest that has beset the French Pacific archipelago, where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
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.
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