WELLINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A New Zealand Air Force rescue plane has arrived in Vanuatu's capital city Port Vila, the New Zealand Defense Force said.
"Our thoughts remain with the people of Vanuatu at this difficult time, and we will continue to assist as required," New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.
The rescue plane was on board with search and rescue equipment, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular staff and six New Zealand Defense Force personnel, including medics and staff, who will assist with planning the emergency response and evacuation of New Zealanders, said a Defense Force media statement.
Meanwhile, a second carrier plane was also on the way to transport urban search and rescue members and equipment to Vanuatu.
Surveillance flight by a New Zealand Air Force plane over Vanuatu including outlying areas to provide imagery for damage assessments was being carried out on Wednesday and will continue on Thursday.
On Thursday afternoon, another New Zealand Air Force plane will depart from Auckland to transport more humanitarian assistance and disaster relief stores to Vanuatu and enable evacuations.
Vanuatu has declared a state of emergency following Tuesday's 7.3-magnitude earthquake. The official death toll was revised down to nine, though it was expected to rise.■