WELLINGTON, New Zealand—The first U.S. warship to visit New Zealand in more than 30 years was changing course Tuesday to help evacuate people stranded in a coastal town following a powerful earthquake.
Hundreds of tourists and residents remained stranded in the town of Kaikoura and faced a third disrupted night after a powerful quake early Monday cut off train and vehicle access.
New Zealand military officials said they were on target to evacuate about 200 people by helicopter on Tuesday as a major rescue operation unfolded.
New Zealand Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee said that the USS Sampson was heading south to Kaikoura and would be able to deploy two helicopters to help in the evacuation.
The destroyer had been due to sail into Auckland on Wednesday as part of 75th anniversary celebrations for the New Zealand navy.
