Over 900 Australians Evacuated from Lebanon on Government-Assisted Flights
Canberra: The Australian government has successfully facilitated the departure of over 900 individuals from Lebanon through coordinated assisted flights. According to official data released on Monday, a total of 904 Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members have left the country on flights arranged by the government, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
On Saturday, the government organized two charter flights from Beirut to Cyprus specifically for Australians. These flights were operated in partnership with flag carrier Qantas and Qatar Airways, which provided connecting services from Cyprus to Sydney. The first Qantas flight departed on Sunday night, arriving in Australia on Monday morning with 349 Australians and their immediate families on board.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs has noted that over 3,750 Australians have registered their intent to leave Lebanon. The government has consistently urged its citizens in Lebanon to evacuate, citing concerns that Beirut airport could close amid ongoing tensions.
As of Wednesday, it was estimated that approximately 15,000 Australians were still in Lebanon. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that two additional flights are scheduled to depart Beirut at 6:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. local time on Monday, contingent on demand, operational capacity, and the prevailing security situation.
The ongoing evacuation efforts underscore the Australian government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad amidst escalating concerns in the region.
