More NZers on way to safety in Cyprus

The evacuation of around 90 New Zealanders trapped in war-torn Lebanon is continuing with more expected to arrive in Cyprus today.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokeswoman Helen Tunnah said two British navy ships and a United Nations chartered ferry left Lebanon for Cyprus overnight NZ time.

"There are definitely New Zealanders aboard, but there just isn't an actual passenger list. We're hoping there are quite good numbers of New Zealanders onboard," she said.

Defence Force spokeswoman Major Charmaine Pene said the family of one officer had been evacuated on the UN ferry.

Parts of Lebanon are under constant bombardment from Israel, as part of a three-week old offensive to recover a captured soldier and to halt rocket fire.

Ms Tunnah earlier confirmed four New Zealanders and their family members had travelled to Cyprus on a navy ship.

She said another New Zealander had also told his family he had left Lebanon by road.

A child and his mother, evacuated yesterday, were now in London.

New Zealand's honorary consul in Cyprus, and MFAT officials from Rome and London, have helped evacuees find accommodation, make onward travel arrangements and obtain emergency travel documents.

British officials advised MFAT on Wednesday that a formal evacuation was underway, and New Zealanders had been included as part of their planning.

"Because of the sheer number of people wishing to leave, it is expected to take days before the evacuation is completed," Ms Tunnah said.

- NZPA