Australians Evacuated From Earthquake-Hit Vanuatu

Thomas Herridge and his family have returned home to Machans Beach, Queensland, a year after devastating floods caused by Cyclone Jasper displaced them. Despite over 1,000 homes still damaged in the area, Herridge expressed relief and happiness to be back, emphasizing the community's importance to his family. Meanwhile, 136 Australians, including Chantel Mara and Shane Cook, returned home after surviving a catastrophic 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu, which resulted in at least 14 fatalities and significant destruction. Many evacuees shared harrowing experiences of chaos and survival during the quake, with reports of people trapped under rubble. Additionally, Oleksii Sak and Iryna Khalimonchuk, a Ukrainian couple, are navigating the stress of a serious prenatal health issue while appreciating the advanced medical care available in Australia, far removed from the dangers of their homeland. The Australian government continues to assist in repatriating citizens affected by the ongoing crises in both Vanuatu and Ukraine.