Australian teams arrive in Vanuatu to assist with earthquake recovery

Australian medical and rescue teams have arrived in Port Villa overnight as efforts continue to respond to the two earthquakes that have left at least 14 people dead.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said teams would be on the ground from Wednesday night to assist the people of Vanuatu.

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“Throughout the day, Royal Australian Air Force aircraft have been loaded with equipment and personnel headed for Vanuatu,” Mr Albanese said on X.

“After the devastating earthquake in Port Vila, the people of Vanuatu have a long road to recovery ahead. Specialist medical and rescue crews, as well as members of the Australian Federal Police, will be on the ground from this evening.”

Australian federal police, a foreign affairs department crisis response team and a medical assistance team have also been deployed.

Meanwhile, overnight, 148 Australians were flown out of the island, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong posted on X.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that, as of Wednesday night, around 500 Australians were registered on its online crisis portal.

At this stage, no Australians have been confirmed dead.

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