Public buildings and schools were reportedly looted and at least 130 people were detained. French President Macron convened the national security council for a defense meeting on New Caledonia. Macron's office announced that a state of emergency (state of emergency) has been declared in the country. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced that a meeting will be held with all parties in New Caledonia before the new constitutional reform is approved. The uprising in the autonomous region of New Caledonia in France is growing.
Authorities announced that three people died, hundreds were injured, shops were looted and public buildings were set on fire in the revolt that started three days ago due to anger over constitutional reforms coming from Paris.
The events, which started as pro-independence demonstrations, were recorded as the most intense violence seen in the French Pacific archipelago since the 1980s. At least 130 people were detained.
French President Emmanuel Macron has canceled his planned visit to Normandy to chair a defense meeting on New Caledonia, the Elysse Palace announced.
According to a statement from his office, Macron convened a defense and national security council meeting to discuss the uprisings.
Following the meeting, Macron's office announced that a state of emergency (State of Emergency) had been declared in the country.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced that a meeting will be held with all parties in New Caledonia before the new constitutional reform is approved.
Despite the dispersal of heavily armed security forces across the capital Noumea and the imposition of an overnight curfew, the riots continued almost unabated throughout last night.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in Paris today that hundreds of people, including about 100 police and gendarmes, were injured in the riots.
One person was shot dead overnight but authorities have yet to establish the circumstances that led to the incident, Darmanin said, adding that dozens of homes and businesses were set on fire.
Streets in the capital were today littered with burnt-out shells of cars and buildings, including a sports shop and a large concrete climbing wall.
"Numerous arson attacks and looting of shops, infrastructure and public buildings, including primary and secondary schools, were carried out," the High Commission representing Paris on the islands said in a statement.
