Tourists trapped by rioting, looting, and separatist roadblocks in crisis-hit New Caledonia expressed relief as the first military evacuation flights landed on Tuesday, signaling potential rescue.
For the past week, Australian tourist Maxwell Winchester and his wife Tiffany have been confined to a typically tranquil hill resort outside the capital, Noumea.
As gunfire echoed through the valley and smoke billowed from nearby towns, they endured a tense wait for help, with food supplies gradually dwindling.
“Every night, we had to sleep with one eye open,” Winchester told AFP. “Every noise made us fear they were coming to loot us.”
For days, the couple followed the news, which reported six deaths and hundreds injured, while struggling to contact Australian consular staff.
Winchester received word around lunchtime Tuesday that Australia was sending two military evacuation planes.
“We are ecstatic,” he said, though the couple doubted they would be among the first evacuees.
An estimated 3,000 people have been stranded by a week of unrest that closed the Pacific archipelago’s main international airport.
It is unclear how many are tourists and how many are locals unable to return home. However, Australia estimates at least 300 of its nationals have registered for evacuation.
For these hundreds, the sight of a Royal Australian Air Force C130 Hercules landing at Magenta airport on Tuesday brought immense relief.
A New Zealand Defence Force plane is also en route, dispatched to pick up about “50 passengers with the most pressing needs,” according to Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
“In cooperation with France and Australia, we are arranging additional flights in the coming days,” he said.
Winchester was understanding about not being part of the first evacuees.
“We realize we probably won’t get on these flights because those with higher needs will be prioritized,” he said. “But we at least know we have a way out in the next few days.”
Still, for some, the wait remains uneasy.
Australian tourists Meg Soutar and Caroline Tully, on a girls’ trip to the remote west coast of New Caledonia, were unable to reach the airport for Tuesday’s evacuation flights due to severe unrest along their route.
For now, the women remain in place, hoping to return to Brisbane soon, with minimal information or assistance from officials.
“We literally stay by the phone and WiFi to see what is going on,” Soutar told AFP. “We feel very isolated, we are not in a resort, it’s just us.”
“It’s been nine days since the conflict started, and we are no closer to getting home,” she added.
