Latest news with #Gian
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I married stranger on stranded cruise ship – now we LIVE on board… holiday from hell turned into a 15-year honeymoon
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT looked like the holiday from hell - but it quickly became the honeymoon of a lifetime. When Gian and Angie Perroni were left stranded in Belfast after their luxury cruise was delayed for four months, all they could dream of was setting sail. 17 Gian and Angie Perroni got married on an incredible round-the-world cruise ship Credit: SUPPLIED 17 They told The Sun about their 'magical' wedding Credit: SUPPLIED 17 The pair met in Belfast when the Villa Vie Odyssey faced a string of delays Credit: PA 17 They held their extravagant 300-guest wedding on board the ship in May Credit: SUPPLIED But neither of them ever imagined they'd find their soulmate while waiting for the round-the-world cruise to start its epic adventure. After Gian, 63, popped the question to Angie, 54, in September - just weeks after their first date - the next natural step was to hold their big day on board the mega Villa Vie Odyssey. The couple told The Sun how their 300-guest ship-wide ceremony officiated by the captain was "way too much fun". After four months of repairs, the huge cruise finally set sail last October. And Gian and Angie held their "magical" wedding - where the captain plunged into the pool with the bride and groom. They shared heartwarming images of the ceremony which took place on board the ship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in May. Gian, from Vancouver, Canada, said: "We not only were honoured with the captain officiating the wedding, but he actually took the plunge into the pool with us as well which was a which was a lot of fun." Angie, from Colorado in the States, chimed in: "Very unexpected." Gian added: "We had professional dancers, and everybody had bubble guns and bubble wands, and the captain had the the ship's horn go off when we had our first kiss. "It was all very romantic and just way too much fun." Moment couple are jeered & mocked by cruise ship passengers as boat sets sail without them after showing up 30 mins late The pair, who also got matching Celtic trinity knot tattoos, held a smaller private ceremony on April 30 before pushing the boat out for a ship-wide party two days later. Angie said: "We had a lot of the ship help us out with the wedding, which I thought was very special." She revealed that most of the people helping to organise the wedding - such as photographers and decorating teams - were actually residents living on board the ship. Angie added: "Everyone on board was very much looking forward to it. And because, again, this is our community and not just a cruise, there was a very different support." Picture-perfect couple Gian and Angie are permanent residents on the Villa Vie Odyssey - a mega 600ft vessel which is set to visit almost every holiday hotspot Earth has to offer. 17 They held a private ceremony as well as a ship-wide one Credit: SUPPLIED 17 The wedding took place when the ship was between Costa Rica and Nicaragua Credit: SUPPLIED 17 Guests were given bubble guns for the wedding ceremony Credit: SUPPLIED 17 Gian and Angie joined by loved ones at their wedding Credit: Villa Vie Residences It boasts a jaw-dropping itinerary - including 425 destinations across 147 countries - around 75 per cent of all nations on Earth. Cruise-goers on board the Odyssey are set to visit all their dream holiday destinations across the planet as part of the journey. The huge vessel was previously marred by controversy when crew discovered problems with its rudders and gearbox - causing its launch to be postponed for four months. The residential cruise sells cabins on a permanent basis - with personal rooms starting at $129,000 for 15 years. Despite the eye-watering price tag, the only other residential cruise ship on the planet currently at sea, The World, offers its cheapest cabin for $2.5million. Gian and Angie are permanent owners on the Odyssey - and have their cabins guaranteed for a decade-and-a-half. Having set off just one year ago, they have already visited 36 countries. Unlike traditional cruises, the ship docks at different ports for around five days each, so residents can properly explore rather than just dash between locations. 17 Gian and Angie's matching Celtic trinity knot tattoos Credit: Reuters 17 Guests plunge into the pool during the wedding Credit: Villa Vie Residences 17 Angie said she couldn't imagine a better place' to have the wedding Credit: SUPPLIED 17 The Villa Vie Odyssey was once marred by controversy Credit: Instagram Globe-trotters Angie and Gian are currently not on board the ship and have returned home due to a family matter. But they say their inboxes have been flooded by friends from their on board community who can't wait for them to get back. Describing day-to-day life on board the infamous vessel - it seems like the party never ends. "We party hard... The only little space we have left in our cabin is a little liquor storage," Angie said. "You definitely have your party years on board, for sure." Gian, who works in online marketing, said: "We've created some very, very good friendships. "There's been one other wedding on board already, another wedding off the ship, and then a few that have gone the opposite direction as well..." They also revealed the range of fellow crew members on board the ship. Angie said: "Once you start chatting with people and getting their history, it's pretty fascinating the different walks of life that are that are on board." Her husband said: "We've become friends with an ex-state Governor, we had an astronaut on board - one of the few people that's been on the moon." Villa Vie Residences' CEO Mikael Petterson previously revealed: 'We have a very diverse community including a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a White House chief of staff, an astronaut and many scientists and doctors on board that share their knowledge and experiences.' What happened to the Villa Vie Odyssey? by Harvey Geh THE Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship offering a three-and-a-half-year world tour, was scheduled to set sail from Belfast in May 2024. But a series of technical issues with the ship's rudders and gearbox led to a four-month delay, keeping the vessel docked at the Harland & Wolff shipyard - where the Titanic was built. During this time, passengers who had sold their homes and packed up all their belongings were stranded in Belfast. The cruise company, Villa Vie Residences, provided accommodation for them in local hotels and serviced apartments - before eventually ending these funds and offering on board credit instead. Gian Perroni and Angela Harsanyi made international headlines when they met and fell in love before getting engaged during the unexpected delay. After numerous postponements, the ship finally set sail on the last day of September 2024 - but had to anchor in Belfast Lough overnight to complete last-minute paperwork and administrative checks before it could officially begin its voyage. Villa Vie admitted the project faced significant challenges - with the unexpected repairs and logistical issues costing them millions of pounds. The extended delays led to tensions among some residents, with one passenger kicked off the cruise for allegedly being 'negative' on a WhatsApp group. Despite its tumultuous and highly publicised four-month delay, the Odyssey finally embarked on its journey in October 2024. In terms of the demographics, Gian estimates 80 per cent of all residents on board the ship are American, quipping: "I even married one." Despite this, he thinks life on board the Odyssey "feels very international", as there are "a lot of different languages being spoken". "As we go to places like, for example, Japan, we've had people that have lived there, that have helped set up itineraries," he said. And even though they are said to be living their dream lives on board the mega-cruise - day-to-day life at sea isn't always plain sailing. "We collectively miss the ease of visiting family when we want or need to, especially the further away we are from home," Gian admitted. "But that is balanced by our ability to invite family to visit and cruise with us." They also listed one other surprising thing they never thought they'd miss before embarking on the years-long adventure. 17 It is currently sailing as part of its massive 425-destination voyage Credit: Villa Vie Residences 17 Angie said her sunset wedding was 'absolutely gorgeous' Credit: Villa Vie Residences 17 The pair say they still 'party hard' Credit: SUPPLIED Gian said: "It's not easy to hit fast food restaurants whenever we want, but we're likely healthier because of that." But the pros far outweigh the cons, the couple emphasised. Angie said: "It's just a whole another way to to live and see the world. I find it absolutely fascinating." Gian added: "We've been happily surprised at, for lack of better word, the stickiness - almost everybody that was with us in Belfast is still on the ship." Although Gian is a seasoned traveller, Angie said she had "never been out of the country" before she decided to step outside her comfort zone and board the Odyssey. And she's looking forward to ticking a few spots off her bucket list - with holiday hotspot Fiji being a "big one" for her. The cruisegoer said of the journey: "It's a lifestyle like I couldn't envision when I started... it's wonderful. And I would definitely recommend it to anybody especially young." The couple are set return to the "loveboat" in the coming weeks, most likely when the ship docks in South Korea. 17 The couple got engaged just weeks after their first date Credit: PA
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I married stranger on stranded cruise ship – now we LIVE on board… holiday from hell turned into a 15-year honeymoon
IT looked like the holiday from hell - but it quickly became the honeymoon of a lifetime. When Gian and Angie Perroni were left stranded in Belfast after their luxury cruise was delayed for four months, all they could dream of was setting sail. 17 Gian and Angie Perroni got married on an incredible round-the-world cruise ship Credit: SUPPLIED 17 They told The Sun about their 'magical' wedding Credit: SUPPLIED 17 The pair met in Belfast when the Villa Vie Odyssey faced a string of delays Credit: PA 17 They held their extravagant 300-guest wedding on board the ship in May Credit: SUPPLIED But neither of them ever imagined they'd find their soulmate while waiting for the round-the-world cruise to start its epic adventure. After Gian, 63, popped the question to Angie, 54, in September - just weeks after their first date - the next natural step was to hold their big day on board the mega Villa Vie Odyssey. The couple told The Sun how their 300-guest ship-wide ceremony officiated by the captain was "way too much fun". After four months of repairs, the huge cruise finally set sail last October. And Gian and Angie held their "magical" wedding - where the captain plunged into the pool with the bride and groom. They shared heartwarming images of the ceremony which took place on board the ship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in May. Gian, from Vancouver, Canada, said: "We not only were honoured with the captain officiating the wedding, but he actually took the plunge into the pool with us as well which was a which was a lot of fun." Angie, from Colorado in the States, chimed in: "Very unexpected." Gian added: "We had professional dancers, and everybody had bubble guns and bubble wands, and the captain had the the ship's horn go off when we had our first kiss. "It was all very romantic and just way too much fun." Moment couple are jeered & mocked by cruise ship passengers as boat sets sail without them after showing up 30 mins late The pair, who also got matching Celtic trinity knot tattoos, held a smaller private ceremony on April 30 before pushing the boat out for a ship-wide party two days later. Angie said: "We had a lot of the ship help us out with the wedding, which I thought was very special." She revealed that most of the people helping to organise the wedding - such as photographers and decorating teams - were actually residents living on board the ship. Angie added: "Everyone on board was very much looking forward to it. And because, again, this is our community and not just a cruise, there was a very different support." Picture-perfect couple Gian and Angie are permanent residents on the Villa Vie Odyssey - a mega 600ft vessel which is set to visit almost every holiday hotspot Earth has to offer. 17 They held a private ceremony as well as a ship-wide one Credit: SUPPLIED 17 The wedding took place when the ship was between Costa Rica and Nicaragua Credit: SUPPLIED 17 Guests were given bubble guns for the wedding ceremony Credit: SUPPLIED 17 Gian and Angie joined by loved ones at their wedding Credit: Villa Vie Residences It boasts a jaw-dropping itinerary - including 425 destinations across 147 countries - around 75 per cent of all nations on Earth. Cruise-goers on board the Odyssey are set to visit all their dream holiday destinations across the planet as part of the journey. The huge vessel was previously marred by controversy when crew discovered problems with its rudders and gearbox - causing its launch to be postponed for four months. The residential cruise sells cabins on a permanent basis - with personal rooms starting at $129,000 for 15 years. Despite the eye-watering price tag, the only other residential cruise ship on the planet currently at sea, The World, offers its cheapest cabin for $2.5million. Gian and Angie are permanent owners on the Odyssey - and have their cabins guaranteed for a decade-and-a-half. Having set off just one year ago, they have already visited 36 countries. Unlike traditional cruises, the ship docks at different ports for around five days each, so residents can properly explore rather than just dash between locations. 17 Gian and Angie's matching Celtic trinity knot tattoos Credit: Reuters 17 Guests plunge into the pool during the wedding Credit: Villa Vie Residences 17 Angie said she couldn't imagine a better place' to have the wedding Credit: SUPPLIED 17 The Villa Vie Odyssey was once marred by controversy Credit: Instagram Globe-trotters Angie and Gian are currently not on board the ship and have returned home due to a family matter. But they say their inboxes have been flooded by friends from their on board community who can't wait for them to get back. Describing day-to-day life on board the infamous vessel - it seems like the party never ends. "We party hard... The only little space we have left in our cabin is a little liquor storage," Angie said. "You definitely have your party years on board, for sure." Gian, who works in online marketing, said: "We've created some very, very good friendships. "There's been one other wedding on board already, another wedding off the ship, and then a few that have gone the opposite direction as well..." They also revealed the range of fellow crew members on board the ship. Angie said: "Once you start chatting with people and getting their history, it's pretty fascinating the different walks of life that are that are on board." Her husband said: "We've become friends with an ex-state Governor, we had an astronaut on board - one of the few people that's been on the moon." Villa Vie Residences' CEO Mikael Petterson previously revealed: 'We have a very diverse community including a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a White House chief of staff, an astronaut and many scientists and doctors on board that share their knowledge and experiences.' What happened to the Villa Vie Odyssey? by Harvey Geh THE Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship offering a three-and-a-half-year world tour, was scheduled to set sail from Belfast in May 2024. But a series of technical issues with the ship's rudders and gearbox led to a four-month delay, keeping the vessel docked at the Harland & Wolff shipyard - where the Titanic was built. During this time, passengers who had sold their homes and packed up all their belongings were stranded in Belfast. The cruise company, Villa Vie Residences, provided accommodation for them in local hotels and serviced apartments - before eventually ending these funds and offering on board credit instead. Gian Perroni and Angela Harsanyi made international headlines when they met and fell in love before getting engaged during the unexpected delay. After numerous postponements, the ship finally set sail on the last day of September 2024 - but had to anchor in Belfast Lough overnight to complete last-minute paperwork and administrative checks before it could officially begin its voyage. Villa Vie admitted the project faced significant challenges - with the unexpected repairs and logistical issues costing them millions of pounds. The extended delays led to tensions among some residents, with one passenger kicked off the cruise for allegedly being 'negative' on a WhatsApp group. Despite its tumultuous and highly publicised four-month delay, the Odyssey finally embarked on its journey in October 2024. In terms of the demographics, Gian estimates 80 per cent of all residents on board the ship are American, quipping: "I even married one." Despite this, he thinks life on board the Odyssey "feels very international", as there are "a lot of different languages being spoken". "As we go to places like, for example, Japan, we've had people that have lived there, that have helped set up itineraries," he said. And even though they are said to be living their dream lives on board the mega-cruise - day-to-day life at sea isn't always plain sailing. "We collectively miss the ease of visiting family when we want or need to, especially the further away we are from home," Gian admitted. "But that is balanced by our ability to invite family to visit and cruise with us." They also listed one other surprising thing they never thought they'd miss before embarking on the years-long adventure. 17 It is currently sailing as part of its massive 425-destination voyage Credit: Villa Vie Residences 17 Angie said her sunset wedding was 'absolutely gorgeous' Credit: Villa Vie Residences 17 The pair say they still 'party hard' Credit: SUPPLIED Gian said: "It's not easy to hit fast food restaurants whenever we want, but we're likely healthier because of that." But the pros far outweigh the cons, the couple emphasised. Angie said: "It's just a whole another way to to live and see the world. I find it absolutely fascinating." Gian added: "We've been happily surprised at, for lack of better word, the stickiness - almost everybody that was with us in Belfast is still on the ship." Although Gian is a seasoned traveller, Angie said she had "never been out of the country" before she decided to step outside her comfort zone and board the Odyssey. And she's looking forward to ticking a few spots off her bucket list - with holiday hotspot Fiji being a "big one" for her. The cruisegoer said of the journey: "It's a lifestyle like I couldn't envision when I started... it's wonderful. And I would definitely recommend it to anybody especially young." The couple are set return to the "loveboat" in the coming weeks, most likely when the ship docks in South Korea. 17 The couple got engaged just weeks after their first date Credit: PA
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GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Gian Magdangal, Lara Maigue are engaged!
Gian Magdangal and Lara Maigue are engaged! The couple, who began dating in 2021, shared the good news in a joint Instagram post, with Lara flexing her princess-cut diamond ring. "She said yes to a lifetime," Gian wrote. In the comment section, celebrity friends, including Rita Daniela, Carla Abellana, Rocco Nacino, Ria Atayde, and Iya Villania congratulated the happy couple. Gian starred in the musicals "Come Far Away," "Dear Evan Hansen" in Singapore, and "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" under Reportory Philippines. Meanwhile, Lara is a classical opera singer who led the singing of the national anthem during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address in 2023. — Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News
The Advertiser
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Australians flee Israel borders as evacuations ramp up
Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed. Australians are making the perilous journey to flee across Israel's borders as a conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Less than a week after arriving in Tel Aviv to visit family, Alan and his wife are among hundreds of Australians making a mad dash to escape missile-fire overhead. Waiting at the Allenby border crossing into neighbouring Jordan on Thursday, the Australian said he could be stuck there for hours as cars and trucks surrounded him bumper-to-bumper. "But when you've been in and out of bomb shelters four to five times a night and having the stress of going through what we've gone through, we decided we had to pull out all stops to get out," he told AAP. He and his wife were offered seats on a bus arranged by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs into Jordan but decided to make their own way after airports shuttered following Israel's strikes on Iran, which triggered waves of retaliatory missile fire. "If you took the bus, you have to arrange everything yourself from the Jordanian border to get where you wanted to go (in) different parts of Jordan," he said. "We felt we would be very vulnerable and it would take a lot of time." So they organised a private car which picked the pair up at 6.30am on Thursday to take them across the border in a 12 to 13-hour trip. "If we left later, the queue would have been six hours and you can't be guaranteed you'll necessarily get across the border," said Alan, who asked that his surname not be used. On the other side, they have arranged to be picked up with their visas before heading to Amman Airport for their flight home. Australian authorities evacuated the first group of citizens across a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon said he was "assisting the Australian government in every possible way" to get people out. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter if there was no opportunity to leave safely. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government was working on contingencies including repatriation flights once the skies reopened. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. But Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian and her family have decided to stay where their home and work are despite life in recent days spent in and out of underground bunkers. "We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house," Ms Gian told AAP on Wednesday. "You feel the house shake." Unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Ms Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Senator Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East, urging it to return to the negotiating table and discontinue any nuclear program. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed.
7NEWS
19-06-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Government working on ways to get Australians out of Israel and Iran amid deadly conflict
Israel is helping Australia evacuate its citizens as its bombing campaign against Iran continues, the country's ambassador says. The first group of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he was personally involved in the Australian government's efforts to get people out. 'We are assisting the Australian government in every possible way,' he said. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. 'We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house,' Gian told AAP. 'It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake.' But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. 'There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be,' she said. But she won't flee. 'Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work,' Gian said. Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. 'Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid,' she told ABC News. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. 'All-out war' The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of 'all-out war' if the US joins the fray. Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. 'It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program,' she said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed.
