Skip to main content

French Polynesia begins Cyclone Oli clean-up

Countries
French Polynesia (France)
Sources
ABC
Publication date
Origin
View original

Authorities in French Polynesia have declared a state of calamity in the aftermath of Cyclone Oli.

Several hundred homes in Tahiti and Bora Bora have been destroyed.

However, the Austral Island of Tubuai is the worst hit, with over half of the buildings on the island either damaged or destroyed.

About 600 of the island's 2000 inhabitants have been evacuated, and authorities are due to arrive in the next 24 hours to offer assistance and assess the damage.

Magali Charbonneau, director of the High Commissioner's Office, is overseeing the relief effort.

"I'm afraid it will take months to restore everything because the situation is really really bad in Tubuai," she said.

"Especially houses and public facilities are completely destroyed."

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: © ABC