9 Australians unaccounted for in cyclone-ravaged Fiji
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says nine Australians are still unaccounted for after Cyclone Tomas hit Fiji.
He says fears are not held for their safety, but they have not yet been contacted.
Mr Smith says an Australian official will travel to the worst-affected area today in an attempt to contact them.
The first aerial reconnaissance of cyclone hit parts of Fiji reveal heavy damage, with pictures showing some houses scattered like matchsticks.
Clouds initially hampered aerial patrols, but the picture was clearer from the ground.
Entire villages were flattened on the island of Taveuni, which has a population of more than 12,000.
One resident who lost his house in the cyclone said there was sheets of roofing flying through the air.
The priority now is to get food rations and water to the islands.
The Australian Government is one of several countries contributing to international aid efforts.
An Australian C-130 Hercules plane has arrived and is helping with aerial surveillance of the worst-affected areas.
Mr Smith says Australia’s dispute with the government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama has not been a problem in delivering aid.
“The co-operation on this point as you would expect has been the sort of professional diplomatic contact that we would want to see when there has been a serious natural disaster,” he said.
[ABC Online]
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