Some 300 Australians are seeking to be repatriation from New Caledonia after violence erupted in the French Pacific territory.
Two Royal Australian Air Force planes have landed in New Caledonia to repatriate stranded Australians amid violent unrest. The C-130 Hercules planes arrived at Magenta Airport — the domestic airport in New Caledonia's capital, Nouméa — on Tuesday afternoon, according to publicly available flight data. One departed the airport at about 3.45pm AEST. This type of plane can carry 124 passengers, according to the Defence Department.
The unrest has been sparked by new rules changing who is allowed to participate in the nation's elections have been strongly criticised by Indigenous Kanak people who fear their vote will be diluted by thousands of French nationals who have moved to the island. They are also angry New Caledonia remains governed by France and want independence.
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