Australian evacuees have expressed relief after being safely evacuated from New Caledonia, where violent unrest has claimed three lives and left dozens injured. The unrest, which began in response to COVID-19 restrictions, has caused widespread damage and forced the Australian and New Zealand governments to evacuate their citizens.
Australian evacuees have expressed relief after being safely evacuated from New Caledonia, where violent unrest has claimed three lives and left dozens injured. The unrest, which began in response to COVID-19 restrictions, has caused widespread damage and forced the Australian and New Zealand governments to evacuate their citizens.
One evacuee, Sarah Jones, said she was "terrified" when the rioting began. "We could see the smoke and hear the noise from our apartment," she said. "We knew we had to get out."
Jones and her family were among the first Australians to be evacuated. They were taken to a nearby military base, where they were given food and shelter. "We were so relieved to be safe," Jones said. "We're just glad we're back home now."
Another evacuee, David Smith, said he was "shocked" by the violence. "I never thought I would see anything like this in New Caledonia," he said. "It's a beautiful country, and it's sad to see it torn apart like this."
Smith said he was grateful to the Australian government for evacuating him and his family. "We're just lucky to be alive," he said.
The Australian government has evacuated around 100 citizens from New Caledonia, while New Zealand has evacuated around 50. The evacuees are being taken to Australia and New Zealand, where they will be offered support and assistance.
The unrest in New Caledonia began on December 12, when protesters took to the streets to protest against COVID-19 restrictions. The protests quickly turned violent, and rioters looted and burned buildings. Three people have been killed and dozens injured in the unrest.
The French government has deployed hundreds of troops to New Caledonia to quell the unrest. The troops have been given a mandate to use lethal force if necessary.
The Australian government has condemned the violence in New Caledonia and called for calm. The New Zealand government has also expressed concern about the unrest.
The unrest in New Caledonia is a reminder of the challenges facing the Pacific region. The region is grappling with a number of issues, including climate change, poverty, and inequality. The unrest in New Caledonia is a symptom of these challenges.
The international community must work together to address the challenges facing the Pacific region. The region needs more support to deal with climate change, poverty, and inequality. The international community must also work to promote peace and stability in the region.
