Australia evacuates a further 300 people from Afghanistan in the last 24 hours
A further 300 people have been evacuated from Kabul on four evacuation flights overnight organised by the Australian government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the group included Australian citizens, Afghans and nationals from other nations.
"We are certainly getting Australians out and Afghan visa holders on their way to Australia, but we are also doing the same for other countries, just as they have done for us."
He said the Australian government would be attempting to evacuate as many Australian citizens and Afghans who worked with the Australian Defence Force as possible.
"I can't guarantee the situation in Afghanistan...We have to work in the environment as we know it - and we have to do the best we possibly can.
"It is Afghanistan. It is a war zone. It is a failed state."
It comes as the security situation deteriorates at Kabul airport, with the US and Germany issuing warnings to its nationals in the last 24 hours to avoid Kabul airport amid security concerns.
Australian journalist who escaped Kabul speaks with SBS World News
00:00 / 00:00
Share
At least 430 Afghans have been brought to Australia in recent months.
The federal government said earlier this week at least 3,000 Afghans will be eligible for a humanitarian visa.
Mr Morrison later clarified that the intake figure is “a floor, not a ceiling" and that the existing humanitarian intake of 13,750 places could be "expanded" if need be.
The Australian Afghan community is calling for at least 20,000 humanitarian places for Afghans, matching the Afghan refugee intake announced by the UK and Canada.
Government backbencher John Alexander broke ranks with other party MPs, saying Australia should accept at the very minimum accept at least 12,000 Afghan refugees.
0 Response to "Australia evacuates a further 300 people from Afghanistan in the last 24 hours"
Post a Comment