Australia and New Zealand have begun evacuation of their citizens from New Caledonia following days of ongoing riots in the French Pacific territory over new legislation passed by lawmakers in Paris.
The unrest in New Caledonia started last week after French lawmakers voted to make a change in the island territory that would allow more French citizens to vote in local elections, a move indigenous leaders have condemned.
They cited the decision will dilute native people’s influence in the territory and ultimately resulted in clashes between locals and authorities, claiming the lives of six people including two cops.
As a result of the unrest, the two Oceanian countries have started evacuating their nationals from the island. The first batch of stranded Australians were flown out of the territory on an Australian military transport plane on Monday, the BBC reported.
It is one of the two flights scheduled to rescue around 300 citizens who have registered for assistance as the island’s international airport remains closed.
According to Flightradar24, a New Zealand Air Force plane has also landed in New Caledonia to bring around 50 stranded New Zealanders home.
The New Zealand government said it is among “a series” of proposed flights to evacuate its citizens. Both Australia and New Zealand have stated the fights will prioritise evacuating citizens with most pressing issues.
