More than 500 Australian nationals are expected to be evacuated from Lebanon on Saturday as the situation in the country deteriorates, the Australian government has announced.

According to a report by Australian broadcaster ABC, two charter flights will depart from Beirut to Cyprus, with Qantas airline transporting passengers onward to Sydney next week. The operation is open to Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families.

Australia’s Transport Minister Catherine King said the situation is “very fluid” and contingency plans are in place should Beirut’s airport close.

“Our message very clearly to people in Lebanon at the moment is do not wait to get the perfect flight home. If you are offered a flight, then you need to go. You need to leave now and take that first available opportunity,” King urged.

The report states that Cyprus “has been preparing to potentially scale up its operations to assist evacuations, with the island acting as a transit point for many people fleeing”.

The Australian government estimates that at least 15,000 Australians remain in Lebanon, with the actual figure potentially as high as 30,000. According to the report, 3,088 Australians have registered their desire to depart Lebanon, while another 1,813 have registered for information from the Australian government.

Australians wishing to leave the country are urged to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s crisis registration portal. 

Meanwhile, a total of 70 passengers, including 38 Cypriot nationals, arrived Friday night in Larnaca from Beirut, the Cyprus’ foreign ministry announced on X.

It said Middle East Airlines operated an additional flight from Beirut, which arrived on Friday, at 10:55 pm (local time), at Larnaca airport, following an initiative undertaken by the ministry.

“The flight carried 70 passengers that had requested assistance, including 38 Cypriot nationals, whose fares were covered by the Republic of Cyprus. Also on board were 11 nationals of Greece, two Polish nationals, as well as 19 Lebanese nationals, holders of a permanent residence permit in Cyprus.”

The foreign ministry added it continues to provide consular assistance to Cypriot nationals in Lebanon through the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Beirut. People are also encouraged to register on the online platform connect2cy.gov.cy or to regularly update any requests through their online profile.

Cyprus had so far accepted requests from two countries for the Estia evacuation plan of foreign nationals. One of the requests had come from China, involving the arrival by sea of about 80 people earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Ayia Napa marina has seen the arrival of about five boats daily, mainly luxury vessels, according to unofficial reports relayed by state broadcaster CyBC.

These are ferrying between five to 20 people each, mainly European nationals or Lebanese dual citizenship holders, and diplomatic staff.

Most arrivals are making their way onwards via flights from Larnaca airport following brief hotel stays.