Hundreds of people evacuated from Afghanistan arrive in Brisbane

Hundreds of evacuees from Afghanistan have landed in Brisbane today as the Federal Government warns of ‘dire’ security fears in the war-torn nation.

More than 200 Afghanistan evacuees have landed in Brisbane in recent hours as the federal government warned the security situation in the war torn nation was “dire” and “deteriorating”.

It is understood just over 200 people evacuated by Australian forces had arrived in Brisbane on Thursday.

Further information has been sought from DFAT.

Defence minister Peter Dutton said 1200 people had been flown out of Kabul on six Australian flights and one New Zealand flight on Wednesday night, including Australians, Afghan nationals, and other nationals.

Afghan refugees arriving at Brisbane Airport. Picture: Liam Kidston.

But the situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating he said, making the US-led evacuation mission even more complex.

“We do have credible threats and intelligence in relation to planned terrorist attacks at the airport and that vicinity,” Mr Dutton said.

Australia joined the UK, Canada and New Zealand in warning citizens and visa holders from travelling to Kabul International Airport and that if they were there, they should move immediately from the area.

A woman leaves the arrivals area at Brisbane International Airport after arriving from Afghanistan. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The advice comes just days away from the August 31 deadline of the evacuation mission.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said it was “an extremely distressing situation for Australians, Australian family members still in Kabul, people with visas and for family and friends who are here in Australia”.

“We remain focused on the safe evacuation from Afghanistan for as many Australians and visa holders as possible, for as long as possible,” she said.

“Access to Hamid Karzai International Airport is extremely limited, it is extremely challenging in terms of checkpoints and difficulties in those processes, particularly through restrictions imposed by the Taliban of the movement of Afghan nationals.”

Mr Dutton, speaking in parliament, thanked special forces soldiers dispatched to Afghanistan from Townsville for their service.

“I thank them and their families for the sacrifice of having the uncertainty of having their loved ones away at this very difficult time,” he said.

Children were among the people pulled out of Afghanistan and flown into Brisbane this morning. Picture: Liam Kidston.