Vanuatu earthquake: Australians plead for more help to get out of disaster zone
Australians stranded in Vanuatu after the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake and who missed out on emergency RAAF flights say they’re being turned away from the high commission.
Australians stranded in Vanuatu after the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake are pleading for more help to leave the Pacific Island nation after missing out on emergency Royal Australian Air Force flights, and say they’re being turned away from the high commission.
Erika Parisi says she is stuck at a Port Vila resort with her young daughter after missing the RAAF flights that took 148 Australians out of the stricken capital overnight.
“Jetstar published a post saying that there will be 2 (more) flights today. Saying to get in touch with your office to check about it,” Ms Parisi wrote on Facebook page of the Australian high commission in Vanuatu at 2pm (AEDT) Thursday.
“You asked us not to come to the office yesterday as it’s useless. Is someone still going around to collect people? I am at Nasama Resort with my daughter 2 years old. We are Australian citizens.
“My mum is 76 and has Italian passport. You didn’t let me to get into the flight yesterday, but in the government email received this morning is written that you’ll help also immediate family.”
With all commercial flights suspended, an online update from Jetstar stated that the Australian government “is operating two repatriation flights from Port Vila to Australia this afternoon (Thursday)”.
Water supplies, power and communications in Port Vila have all been severely impacted by Tuesday’s earthquake, which has claimed at least 14 lives.
In a separate post, Ms Parisi wrote that she and her relatives were the only Australians left at their resort.
“We cannot place phone calls!!!! There is no whatzapp contact. You told us not to come to the office. Should I do that? Are you coming to collect us today? How do we really get in touch!?!?!??!”
Queenslander SJ Steffen also told of being turned away from the Australian high commission.
“We’re in Vanuatu. Can we get some actual info on what’s happening in Vanuatu because you’re people at the high commission gate just say they can’t help anyone!” she wrote on the high commission Facebook page at 9am (AEDT).
Kylie Anne wrote on the same page at 1pm (AEDT): “How do you get on an evacuation flight back to Australia? Families flights cancelled and they were due home yesterday virgin has no eta on when they can fly again.”
Australian Jeff Smith said he was sick after bathing in a river and drinking local water since the earthquake.
“I need help I got no money and embassy got me to come to Ramada to use Skylink have now registered waitin (sic) to get home as I have no food water or money!!” he wrote in all capital letters on the high commission’s Facebook page.
“I’m sick I’ve been showering in river and drinking local water and swollen feet sore throat and need help. Don’t have internet access where I’m Staying someone help me.”
Overnight, the 148 Australian citizens flew out of Port Vila on RAAF flights that had earlier delivered assistance to the Vanuatu capital.
The Australian government confirmed two more RAAF flights were scheduled to bring Australians home on Thursday afternoon.
Both flights are due to arrive at Brisbane Airport’s international terminal, with the first landing about 7.30pm and the second about 10pm (AEDT).
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade update shared by Jetstar at 2.45pm stated: “There are very limited seats available to depart Vanuatu on a Defence flight. DFAT is prioritising seat allocation based upon need.
“Please do not go to the airport unless you have been offered a seat.
“Please do not go to or call the Australian high commission in Port Vila. Consular assistance can be obtained by calling the Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 and or registering through https://crisis.dfat.gov.au/crisisportal/s/”
Australia has sent a 64-person disaster assistance response team and two canines for urban search-and-rescue operations as part of a $2m initial response package following a request for support from Vanuatu after parts of Port Vila were flattened in the earthquake.
The team is working with local authorities to recover people trapped in buildings, conduct safety assessments and remove hazards.
An Australian medical assistance team is also helping treat the injured.
The teams were sent from Australia to Port Vila on a RAAF C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules on Wednesday.
Those aircraft then brought some of the stranded Australians home.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office has been contacted for comment about the pleas of Australians for more assistance to leave Vanuatu.
Local media reported Wednesday that Port Vila’s Bauerfield international airport would be closed for 72 hours to all commercial flights.
Qantas said the airport would be closed to passenger services until at least Sunday.
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