Left to right: Leeroy Wate, Diotee Deromae, Christina Eddie, Janice Kotu and Barnabas Firivave. Photo: Solomon Islands Government
Five Solomon Islands and 13 Fijian students have all returned home after being stranded in Israel during its 12-day war with Iran.
The Solomon Islanders were scheduled to return in mid-June, until the Israel-Iran tensions broke out.
One of the students, Leeroy Wate, told Pacific Waves that they flew from Tel Aviv via Dubai, then Brisbane, then Honiara.
He said his friends and loved ones came to meet him the airport.
"They went to the airport, all of them, the friends, loved ones; and when they saw us, maybe some of them even cry," he said.
He said they asked why he was still smiling.
"I told them I'm smiling because I'm alive, and I'm here now."
Wate, alongside his fellow classmates from the Solomons, had completed a 10-month agricultural course in Israel.
Asked how he spent the first moments back home, he said: "Just in my mind, I just thank the Lord, that's the first thing."
Now that he's back home, he said there are no plans to travel overseas again soon.
"Maybe Israel...maybe in five years' time, I don't know. But not for now."
Some of the Fijian students who were successfully repatriated from Israel. Photo: Fiji Government
Fiji's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, said that their students were successfully repatriated from Israel to ensure their safety and wellbeing, and enabling them to safely reunite with their families.
The 13 students from the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute were part of a 10-month practical attachment at the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT) in Israel since late last year.
Upon arrival at the Nadi International Airport, the students were warmly welcomed by their families, friends, and officials from the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement said.
