Two Royal Australian Air Force planes have 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. One departed the airport at about 3.45pm AEST.
This type of plane can carry 124 passengers, according to the Defence Department.
It is unclear how many — if any — Australians seeking repatriation were on board the flight that departed on Thursday afternoon.
SBS News has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
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 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.
Australian tourist Maxwell Winchester and his wife Tiffany have been barricaded at a resort between Nouméa and the airport for more than a week.
He told the AFP news agency on Tuesday that they were “ecstatic” at the prospect of impending rescue.
“We realise we probably won’t get on these flights, because those who have higher needs will get on them, but we at least know we have a way out in the next few days,” he said.
Tourists have told AFP of food shortages, gunfire, and reports of arson and looting near resorts, leaving them fearful for their safety.
With the Australian Associated Press and AFP.
