Australia and New Zealand received permission to send planes to evacuate their tourists from violence-plagued New Caledonia.
The first plane sent to evacuate stranded tourists from New Caledonia landed in the capital Nouméa on Tuesday. An Australian military transport plane landed at the city’s international airport to begin the evacuation of 300 Australian tourists. Visitors to France’s Pacific territory have been unable to leave the country since riots broke out there a week ago.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted on X late Monday night that Canberra had received French permission for “two government assisted flights” to evacuate Australians and other tourists from the archipelago. Wong added that the government would “continue to work on further flights.”
We’ve received clearance for two Australian Government assisted-departure flights today for Australian and other tourists to depart New Caledonia.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the government was sending a plane to Nouméa to evacuate 50 of its citizens. Peters acknowledged that New Zealanders in New Caledonia “have faced a challenging few days.”
At least six people have been killed and hundreds injured since violence erupted last Monday over a bill being debated in the French parliament, according to VOA. The bill would allow New Caledonians born in France and living in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in local elections.
Leaders of the island’s independence movement say the measure would weaken the voting rights of the indigenous Kanak people, who have suffered decades of discrimination.
Leaders of the island’s independence movement say the measure would weaken the voting rights of the indigenous Kanak people, who have suffered decades of discrimination. However, the bill awaits approval in a special session of both houses of parliament next month.
Protests in New Caledonia
Protests and violence have led to dozens of looted and burned homes and businesses in Nouméa. It prompted authorities to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew and ban public gatherings. The violence also led to the closure of schools and businesses as well as the island’s airport, preventing thousands of tourists from leaving the area.
Groups of Kanak protesters set up roadblocks at the entrance and exit of Nouméa, preventing the delivery of food and medicine to citizens and tourists trapped in their homes and resorts.
France deployed more than 1,000 security personnel to help end the unrest. Hundreds more arrived there on Tuesday. At least 270 people have been arrested.
In 1998, France agreed to give New Caledonia more political power and autonomy and to hold three referendums on the island’s status. However, voters rejected independence in all three referendums.
