(CNN) — When Maxwell Winchester and his wife arrived on the South Pacific island of New Caledonia about two weeks ago, they were excited for what would be their first child-free vacation since becoming parents.
But what was meant to be a romantic getaway has left the Australian couple stranded and away from their children in the state of Victoria, after deadly riots broke out across France over the national government’s electoral changes.
“We’re sheltering in place because it was too dangerous to go out,” Maxwell Winchester told CNN on Thursday. “We’ve seen barricades and riots… and stores have been looted and burned to the ground. There’s practically nothing left in our area.”
He added that the hotel they are staying in is running out of food and medicine, and it is not known when help will arrive. Evacuations of foreigners were halted on Thursday due to the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron for talks.
“We have people running out of medicine…people are running out of food. Other stranded Australians have had to look for coconuts to eat,” he said.
Maxwell Winchester and his wife, an Australian couple stranded in New Caledonia after riots break out. (Image source: Obtained by CNN)
Now, the couple and other foreigners trapped on the island are trying to find a way to return home, with commercial flights canceled and the main international airport closed.
“Our embassy went out on the first day, and we did not hear from them until last night for the first time to request social assistance,” he said. “We are frustrated with all of this… What I hope is that our government will evacuate us quickly.”
Australia and New Zealand began sending government planes to evacuate their nationals from Tuesday, with the Australian Embassy in New Caledonia saying on Facebook that 108 Australians and other tourists were successfully flown from the island to Brisbane on two flights on Tuesday.
“We continue to work with our partners to make it easier for all Australians who wish to do so to leave,” he said in a post on Wednesday.
But Winchester said he and the other tourists had no idea when their turn might come. The local government estimates there are about 3,200 people waiting to leave or enter the island.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says on its website that it is “communicating directly with Australians registered in New Caledonia about options for exiting New Caledonia”, and has instructed Australians on the island to register their details with the agency’s register. electronic gate.
People line up outside a store to stock up on supplies in New Caledonia, where major supermarkets nearby were burned and looted during the unrest on the French mainland. (Credit: Obtained by CNN)
Deadly riots
Located about 1,500 kilometers northeast of Brisbane, New Caledonia has long been a popular destination for Australians and New Zealanders seeking sun and sand on the Pacific Ocean.
But it is also a remnant of France’s colonial past, a region on the other side of the world where many indigenous people are deeply impoverished and have long suffered under the dominance of Paris.
The latest protests, the worst since the 1980s, were sparked by indigenous Kanak anger over a constitutional amendment passed in France that would change who can participate in elections, which local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote.
The riots left at least six people dead and left a trail of burned cars and looted stores, with roadblocks restricting access to medicine and food.
The situation became so bad that Macron had to fly about 16,000 kilometers and landed on an island filled with resentment from indigenous community leaders, business owners, and stranded tourists.
Macron arrived in New Caledonia on Thursday, and told reporters that “a return to peace” is his top priority, but that French security forces will remain in the territory “as long as necessary, including during the Olympic Games.”
He added that 3,000 French security forces have already been deployed, and some will continue to arrive on Thursday. He added that he believes that the state of emergency “should not last for a long time,” as long as all political forces on the island make “a clear call to lift the blockade.”
As part of his visit, Macron will “form a mission” in New Caledonia, government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said at a press conference earlier this week. The visit comes as France prepares for the Olympic Games in Paris, which will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Dead ends
But Macron’s arrival did not comfort Winchester and his wife, who are staying at a resort outside the city centre. They described anxiety and desperation inside among hotel guests and staff alike. The resort has closed all roads leading to the hotel, leaving only an entrance guarded 24/7.
Frustration is growing among tourists who are stranded due to the lack of help or clear instructions from their governments.
Winchester said the Australian government only notifies its citizens of evacuation plans 30 minutes before a flight “for safety reasons,” meaning “everyone is in a constant state of stress, afraid to leave their hotel room in case they get a phone call to tell them.” For them (to get on the plane).”
When CNN contacted the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs for comment, it referred to a statement posted online by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday.
“The Australian government is ready to help more tourists leave New Caledonia and has planes ready to fly,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We have not received permission to undertake additional flights. We know this is frustrating for the Australians who remain.” “We are working to secure tomorrow’s flights.”
A burning building in an industrial park in Noumea, New Caledonia, on May 20, 2024. (Credit: Theo Rouby/AFP/Getty Images)
With the international airport closed, evacuation flights can only depart from the domestic airport, located near the city center, which is largely inaccessible to people staying farther away, like Winchester and other guests at their resort, due to roadblocks and gun violence on main roads. Roads.
“My wife and I don’t have a car, so we have no way to get to the city if they put us on a flight,” he explains. “We don’t know if they will come to evacuate us from our place or not. But driving inside the city is very dangerous right now.”
He added that New Zealand citizens on the island face a similar situation, as their governments ordered them to drive to the city and leave their cars in a hotel to avoid being kidnapped, before they were taken there for evacuations.
He added: “With Macron’s visit, the situation may become worse.” He added, “The French government did not handle this matter well. If (Macron) says the wrong things and then returns to France, the matter may explode again. This is our fear.”
Meanwhile, stranded foreigners continue to search for a way out, while racking up exorbitant bills: Winchester describes tourists spending tens of thousands of dollars on food, lodging, and supplies.
The couple is trying to travel to the city with some New Zealand citizens and find a departure flight with them, hoping that there will be strength in numbers on this dangerous journey.
He said: “From our government, their position is that the French will expel us, and we do not trust the French government’s ability to keep us safe.”
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