Australians have been evacuated from New Caledonia on repatriation flights amid deadly riots, but it is unclear how many remain stranded.
Victorian man Maxwell Winchester and his wife Tiffany are still waiting to find out when they will be able to leave, and told SBS News they have received “no indication” from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Winchester said they were ecstatic when they heard about the repatriation flights but did not expect to get a place on the first planes as people with urgent needs were being prioritised.
“We knew we weren’t going to get on, because (the first flights) are meant for those who are in need, and we understand that,” he said.
“So we knew we weren’t going to get on them, but we knew that meant that we should get out at some point soon.”
Australian man Max Winchester and his wife are stranded in New Caledonia. Source: SBS News
Winchester was critical of the Australian government’s response, claiming “initially the consular staff went AWOL”.
He said there was no communication from DFAT until the sixth day of the riots.
“They basically closed down and DFAT were telling us that we’re on our own … it wasn’t until Thursday that Penny Wong made that statement in Parliament about changing the travel advice, that we actually started to hear from them.
“And it’s been a lot better since, but I hope they learn from this experience so that people who are in this situation in the future are not left and told that they’re on their own,” he said.
“Because it’s not particularly reassuring when there’s a civil war going around you.”
Winchester said he and his wife had not yet been given any indication as to when they might be able to leave.
SBS News has contacted DFAT for comment.
Repatriation flights depart from New Caledonia
On Tuesday afternoon two Royal Australian Air Force landed in New Caledonia to repatriate stranded Australians amid violent unrest.
The C-130 Hercules planes arrived at Magenta Airport — the domestic airport in New Caledonia’s capital, Nouméa — on Tuesday afternoon, according to publicly available flight data.
They were scheduled to arrive in Brisbane on Tuesday night.
This type of plane can carry 124 passengers, according to the Defence Department.
It’s not yet known how many Australians were evacuated.
People await the repatriation flight. Source: SBS News
The flight data also showed a New Zealand Defence Force plane at the airport.
It comes after Foreign Minister Penny Wong wrote on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed on Tuesday morning that two Australian government-assisted flights would fly out of the French territory in the Pacific.
Wong said Australians who had registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) would be contacted, and passengers would be prioritised based on need.
“We continue to work on further flights,” Wong wrote.
Some and want to return home.
Wong did not state how many passengers were expected to be flown out via the repatriation flights.
Burnt-out vehicles in an industrial zone in the capital Nouméa. Source: AFP / Theo Rouby via Getty Images
At least six people have died and hundreds more were injured after .
Fearful Australians stuck on the island have likened the deteriorating situation to a war zone and there are concerns food supplies could run out.
The unrest has been sparked by new rules changing who is allowed to participate in the nation’s elections have been strongly criticised by who fear their vote will be diluted by thousands of French nationals who have moved to the island.
They are also angry New Caledonia remains governed by France and want independence.
The Australian government last week — — and warned people to reconsider their need to travel.
“Political demonstrations and protests are occurring and may turn more violent at short notice,” DFAT’s Smartraveller website warns.
The violence has forced the closure of La Tontouta International Airport, which has made scheduling repatriation flights difficult.
A roadblock in Nouméa on Sunday. The sign reads Residents only! Source: AFP / Delphine Mayeur via Getty Images
Wong’s announcement came on the same morning New Zealand’s foreign minister Winston Peters said an aircraft would bring “50 passengers with the most pressing needs” back to Auckland.
Peters said more flights were set to follow, though he did not specify when they would operate.
With the Australian Associated Press.
