500+ Australians Evacuated from Lebanon: Urgent Flights via Cyprus Begin Now

Over 500 Australians Evacuated from Lebanon in Urgent Efforts

As the situation in Lebanon worsens, more than 500 Australian nationals are expected to be evacuated on Saturday. The Australian government has organized this operation to ensure the safety of its citizens. The focus is to bring Australians evacuated from Lebanon to safety via Cyprus.

Special Flights for Australians Evacuated from Lebanon

Two special charter flights will take off from Beirut, heading to Cyprus, where passengers will be transported onward to Sydney. The flights, provided by Qantas airlines, are open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate families. This operation marks a crucial step in ensuring Australians evacuated from Lebanon reach a safer destination.

The Fluid Situation in Lebanon

Australia’s Transport Minister, Catherine King, has warned that the situation in Lebanon remains unstable. Contingency plans are in place in case Beirut’s airport shuts down. She urged Australians not to delay their departure:

“Our message is clear: do not wait for the perfect flight home. If you have an opportunity to leave, take it immediately,” King emphasized.

Cyprus: The Key Transit Point for Evacuations

Cyprus has emerged as a vital transit hub, preparing to scale up operations to assist those evacuating Lebanon. The island nation is working closely with several countries, including Australia, to help people fleeing the escalating situation. For Australians evacuated from Lebanon, Cyprus is proving to be an essential stop on their way to safety.

Thousands of Australians Still in Lebanon

The Australian government estimates that there are still around 15,000 to 30,000 Australians in Lebanon. Out of these, 3,088 have registered to leave, while 1,813 have asked for information from the government. Australians are urged to register their intent to leave on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) crisis portal.

Additional Evacuations via Cyprus

On Friday night, 70 passengers, including 38 Cypriot nationals, arrived in Larnaca from Beirut. Cyprus’ foreign ministry confirmed this on social media platform X. The flight was organized by Middle East Airlines and landed at 10:55 pm local time. Among the passengers were 11 Greek nationals, 2 Polish nationals, and 19 Lebanese nationals who hold permanent residency in Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus covered the travel costs for its citizens.

Cyprus Continues to Assist Evacuation Efforts

The foreign ministry of Cyprus reassured that they are actively providing consular support to their citizens through the Cypriot embassy in Beirut. Cypriots in Lebanon are encouraged to use the online platform connect2cy.gov.cy for support and to keep their information updated.

International Assistance for Evacuations

Cyprus has received requests from other nations for help in evacuating their citizens. Earlier this week, around 80 people from China arrived in Cyprus by sea, as part of the country’s Estia evacuation plan.

Ongoing Arrivals at Ayia Napa Marina

According to reports from Cypriot broadcaster CyBC, Ayia Napa Marina is witnessing the daily arrival of five luxury boats. These boats are carrying European nationals, Lebanese dual citizens, and diplomatic staff, with passenger counts ranging from 5 to 20 people per boat. After short hotel stays, most of these individuals are continuing their journey via flights from Larnaca airport.

Next Steps for Australians Evacuated from Lebanon

For Australians evacuated from Lebanon, the situation remains urgent. Registering with DFAT’s crisis portal is essential to ensuring they can be part of upcoming evacuation flights. The Australian government continues to coordinate with Cyprus and other nations to facilitate these efforts.

Australians evacuated from Lebanon will be flown to Cyprus first before boarding flights to Sydney. This operation reflects the ongoing international efforts to ensure the safety of foreign nationals in Lebanon.

The ongoing evacuation operation is a testament to the swift and coordinated actions taken by the Australian government and its partners. With the situation in Lebanon deteriorating rapidly, getting Australians evacuated from Lebanon is a top priority. Stay updated for more information as this critical situation unfolds.