An Australian reporter has shared the terrifying moment she had to run for cover from a missile strike in Israel while reporting on escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Channel 7’s Europe Correspondent Jacquelin Robson told Sunrise she was reporting with her camera crew on Friday when she received an urgent alert to seek shelter.
The group rushed towards what they believed to be a safe haven only to discover it was nonexistent.
‘Some locals called us over to a bunker, but we soon discovered that bunker didn’t exist,’ Robson said on Saturday.
‘When the final siren sounded, we had no choice but to run and find shelter.
‘We managed to squeeze between a few buildings.’
Robson said Israel successfully intercepted a missile fired from Iran during the incident.
‘Two direct hits were reported during this wave of attacks,’ she said.
Jacquelin Robson (pictured) ran for safety while covering the conflict between Iran and Israel
Robson told Sunrise the bunker she though she was looking for ‘didn’t exist’
There were no fatalities, though several injuries were reported, along with significant damage to buildings.
The strike occurred amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as the Australian Government works to evacuate citizens stranded in both nations.
The Australian Defence Force has deployed personnel to bring overseas citizens home with the support of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Registrations are now open for Australian citizens and permanent residents seeking assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
So far over 3000 people have registered for evacuation support.
The department has announced Australians in Israel are being offered evacuation to Jordan via private bus.
Options for land departures from Iran are also being explored.
DFAT’s current travel advisory for Israel, Iran, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is ‘Do Not Travel’.
Australian Defence personnel have been deployed to help Australians flee the conflict
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced on Friday the Embassy in Iran had been evacuated due to security concerns.
‘The Australian Government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents and suspended operations at our Embassy in Tehran, based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran,’ she said.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including at border crossings, to assist Australians leaving Iran.’
Wong has also held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the ongoing conflict.
