Vanuatu earthquake: ‘Evacuation bingo’: Qld couple tell of mercy dash out of quake zone

A Queensland couple injured in the Vanuatu earthquakes have finally made it home after being evacuated on a mercy RAAF flight just before another quake hit the tourist mecca.

A Queensland couple injured in the Vanuatu earthquakes have finally made it home after being evacuated on a mercy RAAF flight.

Bill Hoffman and his wife Wendy, who had just retired after 43 years as an early childhood educator, were in the Vanuatu Cultural Centre when the first 7.3 magnitude quake fhit.

“Wendy (was) cut and bruised. I was knocked about, ending up buried under a heavy display board as wooden pigs, masks and other artefacts rained down,’’ Mr Hoffman said.

The Hoffmans were at the Iririki Island Resort just off Port Vila and were left stranded for days, along with hundreds of other Australians stranded in Vanuatu.

After desperate pleas from their daughter to get them out of the quake zone, they were evacuated on a RAAF flight on Saturday night.

“We’ve been to hospital this morning and been checked over. Wendy had wound dressings done and prescribed antibiotics with sample taken for testing in case a staph infection is incubating,’’ Bill Hoffman said in a message to this publication.

“Thankful for all the support people have shown and those who reached out to us to check how we’ve been going.

“RAAF, army, AFP were fantastic in the way they sought to ensure everyone was okay, particularly the way they worked with children to shift apprehension to excitement about their unusual flight home.

“The Iririki Resort where we were staying did their best in difficult circumstances and the ni-Van staff were fabulous.

Mr Hoffman said the ongoing tremors had created great anxiety for everyone over there.

“Following the initial 7.3 quake there were almost continuous rolling tremors dotted with more serious auxiliary quakes.

“Downtown is a mess and there won’t be a resort or building that doesn’t have structural and other issues.

“Apartments were trashed, cabinetry pulled apart and water, power and communication networks compromised.

“High commission staff have been run of their feet but have struggled with a process that requires internet access and for people of all ages and eyesight capabilities to be able to clearly see and respond in detail to links and portals designed for larger devices.

“Disaster portal information you ultimately submit is being used by people in Canberra who triage remotely who should be prioritised for evacuation.

“The process is opaque and frustrating for those that miss that day’s episode of evacuation bingo.

“There was another quake this morning (Sunday) and I feel for those from whom the trauma and uncertainty continues.

“Really all tourists need to be out of there to end their nightmare and to relieve pressure on resources needed by residents.

“Our children particularly and friends relatives and others who reached out to help have left Wendy and I warmed and forever thankful.

Bill and Wendy Hoffman are desperate to get home after being hurt in the earthquake in Vanuatu.

“An experience that I hope to never repeat.

“Our thoughts remain with the wonderful people of Vanuatu and hope that their lives can return to normal as soon as possible.

“We know there is a concerted Australian effort to assist.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was providing consular assistance to all Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members located in Vanuatu where needed.

“ The Australian High Commission has been engaging Australians on the ground in Vanuatu to provide important information and updates, and to co-ordinate the allocation of available seats on Australian Defence Force (ADF) return flights,’’ a DFAT spokesperson said.

Bill and Wendy Hoffman’s dream vacation turned into a nightmare.

“ The Royal Australian Air Force has assisted 424 Australians to return home on six flights so far.

Another two flights went out on Saturday.

“These aircraft are configured primarily for humanitarian delivery and are not appropriate to carry certain vulnerable, injured or elderly passengers,’’ DFAT said.

“ Allocation of seating on ADF flights has also taken into account the ability of individuals to board and exit the ADF aircraft.

Airports Vanuatu announced the Port Vila International airport will be reopening to commercial airline operations on Sunday 22 December 2024. DFAT is working with Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar to prioritise passengers in need.

Earlier, Bill and Wendy’s daughter, Nina Smith, voiced fears supplies could run out at the resort before her parents were rescued.

“Water is being rationed and they are only serving two meals a day,’’ Mr Hoffman reported in a message to this publication on Thursday.

The resort needs 400 litres of diesel a day to supplement solar with water for washing only intermittently available, he said.

If the resort lost power, food in the freezers would be ruined.

Ms Smith, who lives in Los Angeles, said her parents had reported ongoing after shocks for the past 48 hours and were desperate to get home so resources they were using could be used by the locals.

“They are feeling stranded and really scared,’’ Nina said.

Nina said her mum and dad were initially trapped under rubble but her dad somehow managed to pull things off them and get them out to a nearby park.

She said she received a text message from her mum saying: “There’s been an earthquake. Terrifying. There’s glass everywhere” and then heard nothing for another 24 hours.

They managed to get to a hospital and get a quick call through to other family.

Bill and Wendy Hoffman with daughter Nina on her wedding day.

Nina said despite Australian authorities, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, talking up the response, she said her parents had received no communications from the government apart from an email saying there had been an earthquake.

Australian citizens boarding a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A transport aircraft at Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila, for a repatriation flight following the Vanuatu earthquake.

This was despite them being registered with Smartraveller.

“There has been no clear lines of communication.’’

“They want to get off the island so the resources can go to locals.’’

Australians try to get information about getting home.

MUM’S PLEA AS SON RUNNING OUT OF INSULIN

Another Sunshine Coast resident Melissa Williams was earlier stranded in Vanuatu with her three children, one of whom is a Type 1 Diabetic.

“We were staying at Erakor Island Resort but were evacuated.

“ Our situation is critical as my son is running out of insulin. He has only a few days supply left. Without it he will become very sick, very quickly.

“Despite travelling with triple the amount of insulin needed for the duration of our trip, his medication was damaged during the earthquake when it was flung out of the fridge onto the tiled floor and smashed.

“A few days without insulin will result in coma then a very painful death.

“The hospital here is not equipped or in a position to deal with diabetic ketoacidosis or provide the intensive care that he will require without insulin.

“ Unfortunately, my efforts to secure bookings to fly home have been unsuccessful.

“Qantas cancelled our flights that were scheduled for Friday.

“Their best offer to reschedule was 19th January despite explaining the critical risk to Lucian’s life.

“It has now been tentatively booked for Tuesday 24th December with no guarantee that it will eventuate.

“ Despite completing all the required registrations with DFAT and pleading since Tuesday for priority to repatriation flights, we were not given the option to be on the flight that carried 150 Australians home.

“We weren’t told about this flight at all despite speaking in person to DFAT staff yesterday.

“Words cannot describe the sheer frustration at the lack of support we have received from Qantas and the complete feeling of invisibility when dealing with DFAT.

“ Having previously worked in Humanitarian Settlement (Refugees and asylum seekers) with Home Affairs, I am very well versed in the intricacies of preparing and uplifting refugees from conflict zones. I know it can be done quickly and efficiently. That is not happening in Vanuatu.”

Ms Williams later confirmed she had got on the flight into Brisbane on Thursday night.

“We had five minutes to grab a small bag before a police escort to the airport,’’ she said

“It was hectic and chaotic. They nearly didn’t let us go to the airport until I stood my ground and demanded to be on the plane.”

GOVERNMENT EXPLAINS ITS RESPONSE

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office said 500 to 600 Australians had been registered as being in the area and government officials were going from hotel to hotel to offer help.

Due to damage to roads and infrastructure, reaching Australians in their places of accommodation had been challenging.

Some hotels were over one hour away from the Australian High Commission.

Embassy officials have picked Australians up from hotels in buses and moved them to the airport to board available ADF flights.

Emails and updates had been sent out but some were not getting through because of communication issues.

The airport remained closed for commercial flights with authorities saying it would take some time to get it operational again with internet and other vital services, along with baggage handling, to be restored.

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the urgency to get the Hoffmans and other Australians out of Vanuatu could not be overstated.

“I strongly urge the government to act swiftly and ensure their safe return home."

"I've asked for Minister Wong's office to expedite assistance for Australians stranded in Vanuatu.

“The lack of communication from the government is unacceptable, and immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of our citizens."

"The government's response to the crisis in Vanuatu has been inadequate. Our fellow Australians are in need of assistance, and it's imperative that Minister Wong and her team act now to evacuate them."

AUSSIES FACING CONFUSION, CONFLICTING REPORTS

Mr Hoffman said Australian embassy staff were at the resort with Starlink communications provided.

But he said people were being expected to organise their own alternative travel through an airline or travel company, even though there were conflicting reports about the state of the runway.

This image made from a video shows a landslide near an international shipping terminal in Port Vila, Vanuatu following a powerful earthquake Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Dan McGarry via AP)

Ms Wong told media that 148 Australians had travelled back on two RAAF aircraft that delivered supplies and assistance to the Pacific nation.

Ms Smith questioned how those flown by RAAF were selected with many walking to the plane.

Iririki Resort, Port Vila, Efate Island, Vanuatu. Picture: MJ Photography / Alamy

Mr Hoffman called for government organised mass evacuations, urging the Albanese government to bring their citizens home for Christmas.

He said advice from Virgin was only to ‘contact your travel company for a refund or alternative flight’.

Wendy Hoffman enjoying island life before the earthquake struck in Vanuatu.

The couple had been planning their dream vacation for a long time and had enjoyed snorkelling and island life, joking they were planning to write a novel together.

They flew out earlier this month and were due to return two days ago.

The inside of a building damaged is seen in Port Vila, Vanuatu, following a powerful earthquake Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Tim Cutler via AP)

Mr Hoffman, a former Sunshine Coast Daily news editor, who led a Queensland wide campaign to help subcontractors burnt by building firm collapses, said there were lots of confused and frustrated people getting conflicting advice.

Bill Hoffman campaigned for years for subcontractors burnt by building collapses.

The veteran journalist is well known for fighting for the underdogs and was the co-founder of the Island Charity Swim.

The event has raised more than $1 million for disabled children across the Coast after it started in 2001 as a dare between popular publican and former mayoral candidate Ashley Robinson and Mr Hoffman.

Disclaimer: Mark Furler worked with Bill Hoffman at the Sunshine Coast Daily

‘Just a disaster’: Moment Qld couple caught in deadly earthquake

Sunshine Coast couple Andy and Sharny Chapman frequently live in Vanuatu to offer tutoring and support to communities. Photo: contributed

A relieved daughter has shared how her Sunshine Coast parents narrowly escaped a collapsing wall at Vanuatu’s airport where they were waiting to fly home for Christmas when disaster struck.

It comes after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the tourist capital of Port Vila at 12.40pm on Tuesday, followed by a 5.5-magnitude aftershock directly after and a third magnitude-6 earthquake Wednesday morning.

The latest advice from the Vanuatu Government shows 14 people have been killed, more than 200 have been injured and search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Major buildings have been damaged or destroyed including the airport, where flights are grounded.

A member of security can be seen inspecting a collapsed building in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila after a powerful earthquake hit the Pacific Island. (Photo by MICHAEL THOMPSON / Facebook account of Michael Thompson / AFP

Georgia Purser said her parents Andy and Sharny Chapman, both 58, frequently did stints living in Vanuatu – previously working at a school in a “slum area” – to provide tutoring, music therapy, counselling, youth music training and more.

The beloved members of Flame Tree church also recently started a business to gain a Visa in Vanuatu.

Ms Purser said she thought little of the tremor when she first heard news, thinking it was just another small earthquake which she frequently experienced when living there in the past.

“But it’s not, it’s massive,” she said.

Her parents had messaged her saying they had just checked in at the airport and she believed they were already on a plane heading home when the earthquake struck.

Back in Queensland, Ms Purser’s brother had gone to the airport to pick up the couple, but no one heard from them for hours, until a message came through.

Andy and Sharny Chapman (right) were awaiting their flight home for Christmas after doing missionary work in Vanuatu when the 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck. Photo: contributed

In the message, her father recounted how he pulled his wife off a chair as the wall behind it came crumbling down.

She heard people could not even stay standing, resorting to lying on the grass until the tremors stopped.

Like many Queenslanders, the couple was evacuated to the Australian High Commission and used the emergency network to send the message.

All other communications are down.

Her parents, in their message, described the earthquake as “devastating” and “just a disaster.”

Many have posted on Facebook reassuring friends and family of their safety and sharing pictures of the disaster, using the emergency network. Picture: To Ny on Facebook

With the airport damaged and plane refuelling stations contaminated, Ms Purser was unsure whether her parents will make it back in time for Christmas but has been reassured they are safe.

The climbing death toll was “full on”, Ms Purser said, considering the small population as any sort of high rise had collapsed in the capital.

She also heard from an acquaintance it was the biggest earthquake they had ever felt in their 20 years living in Vanuatu.

Seeing pictures of familiar buildings now in ruins and hearing little from her friends in Vanuatu left Ms Purser feeling a “little bit numb” and she described the experience as “really intense.”

The inside of a building damaged is seen in Port Vila, Vanuatu, following a powerful earthquake Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Tim Cutler via AP)

Despite knowing her parents have been caught up in the disaster, Ms Purser believed it would be harder for the couple if they had taken an earlier flight, only to see the events unfold from afar.

She said the couple would surely be helping other people whenever they could and would “make the most” of their time there.

In the hours after the disaster, Ms Purser has received many calls from friends and family, concerned about the welfare of her parents, which she said was “very beautiful.”

She encouraged others to pray and support charities assisting on the ground wherever possible.

Originally published as Vanuatu earthquake: ‘Evacuation bingo’: Qld couple tell of mercy dash out of quake zone