December 21st 2024.
A group of 144 Australians were safely evacuated from Vanuatu overnight, after a devastating earthquake struck the island, claiming the lives of at least 14 people and injuring hundreds more. The Royal Australian Air Force quickly responded to the disaster and organized flights to bring citizens back home from the capital city, Port Vila.
In total, 588 Australians have been rescued and transported to Brisbane on eight flights so far, with the last two scheduled for today. One heart-wrenching story that caught the attention of many was that of a father pleading for his son, who has cerebral palsy, to be brought back home from Vanuatu. Thankfully, with the airport now open for commercial flights after being closed due to earthquake damage, airlines like Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar have resumed their operations to help those still stranded.
Qantas and Virgin will resume their flights to Brisbane from Port Vila today, while Jetstar will start flying customers on the same route tomorrow. However, it's important to note that new bookings won't be available until after Christmas. The search and rescue efforts have mostly concluded, and the focus has shifted towards assessing the damage. Australian teams on the ground, including a 64-person disaster assistance response team, two canine units, a medical assistance team of six, nine members of the Australian Federal Police, and a five-person team from DFAT, are providing crucial support to the affected community.
The powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Port Vila on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy in its wake. As rescuers worked tirelessly to reach trapped survivors, a second earthquake of magnitude 6 hit the island on Wednesday, adding to the chaos and devastation. The epicenter of the second quake was measured to be 72km deep.
The disaster has also triggered a major health crisis, as relief workers estimate that 20,000 people are now without access to clean water. The United Nations has reported that around 1000 individuals have been displaced due to the earthquake. For those who are still in Vanuatu, the Australian government has urged them to register with DFAT's online portal to receive important updates and information.
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