Australians and Afghan visa holders being evacuated from Taliban controlled Afghanistan have started arriving in Australia, with 94 people flown to Perth overnight from the United Arab Emirates.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also announced a further 60 Australians and visa holders have been rescued from Kabul and, in a phone call overnight, he thanked his British counterpart Boris Johnson for the Royal Air Force assistance in airlifting a group of 76 Australian citizens and Afghans with visas a day earlier.
“So it is a very quick operation. Gotta move very, very fast and the situation on the ground is difficult,” Mr Morrison told reporters on Friday.
Three flights to rescue Australians and visa holders have now been performed in dangerous and chaotic conditions, two by RAAF aircraft and one by the British RAF.
People attempting to escape the Taliban are experiencing great difficulties getting to the airport, particularly getting through Taliban checkpoints.
Mr Morrison says Australian military escorts for people trying to leave Kabul have been considered but, under Defence advice, it is “not a matter that is considered viable”.
“The situation in Kabul does remain chaotic,” he said. “We are engaged in constant messaging and contacts, wherever we possibility can with those we are seeking to evacuate.”