More than 450 evacuated in four rescue flights from Kabul overnight, PM confirms

A further four rescue flights evacuated more than 450 people from Kabul overnight, Scott Morrison has confirmed.

More than 450 people were evacuated out of Kabul overnight on four RAAF rescue flights, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed.

In total more than 1000 people have been taken out of the Afghanistan capital by Australia.

Meanwhile a second repatriation flight with 175 Australian citizens and Afghan visa holders and passengers evacuated on behalf of New Zealand touched down in Melbourne on Monday morning.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the situation at Kabul Airport remained “extremely volatile and very dangerous”.

A further 450 people were evacuated from Kabul overnight. Picture: SGT Glen McCarthy / Australian Defence Force / AFP

“As we have seen from reporting and as we know from our people on the ground, is a situation that remains extremely volatile and very dangerous,” she said.

“The most significant challenge continues to be access to Hamid Karzai International Airport.

“Our continued focus is on bringing out every Australian and Australian visa holder that we possibly can and supporting those vulnerable Afghans as well to move, if we possibly can.”

Ms Payne also confirmed Australia would support an ongoing operation at the Kabul airport if the United States were to extend its withdrawal deadline past August 31.

“There is a discussion going on about the prospect of the United States extending its withdrawal deadline,” she said.

“We are part of those discussions and if they are to be extended we are absolutely ready to support a continuing operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport.”

Crowds have grown at the airport in recent days despite attempts from the Taliban to strengthen their control at the gates.

The Prime Minister warned last week Australian forces were unable to assist those stuck outside of the capital.

Australia has agreed to resettle 3000 Afghans fleeing Taliban rule.

Mr Morrison will on Monday move a motion in parliament to recognise the service of Australian men and women who served in Afghanistan.

Originally published as More than 450 evacuated in four rescue flights from Kabul overnight, PM confirms