May 15th 2024.
The situation in New Caledonia is currently unstable as riots have continued overnight despite a curfew being imposed by authorities. As a result, all international flights to the French territory have been cancelled, including Aircalin flight SB151 from Brisbane which was scheduled to land today. The country's main airport, La Tontouta International Airport, remains closed due to the ongoing riots that started on Monday.
Meanwhile, a QF91 flight from Sydney is still showing as scheduled for departure at 8:25 am. However, the High Commission of the Republic in New Caledonia has confirmed that the riots are still ongoing in Greater Nouméa, despite the curfew being put in place yesterday. In a statement translated from French to English, the commission reported that there have been numerous incidents of fires, looting, and destruction of public establishments, including schools and colleges. They also mentioned that over 130 arrests have been made, and the perpetrators will be brought before the courts.
The commission also commended the dedication and professionalism of the 60 injured police officers who have been working to control the situation. They also confirmed that there was a new attempt to escape from the prison by the rebels, but it was quickly handled by the security forces. In response to the ongoing violence, the authorities have extended the curfew from 6 pm to 6 am for tonight as well. The same restrictions on gatherings, alcohol sales, and weapon-carrying also remain in place.
The commission has also asked the population to limit their movements during the day, with exceptions only for urgent health reasons, medical emergencies, and assistance to vulnerable individuals. Additionally, no cruise ships are expected to dock in Noumea this week, and the media has reported that the country has been relatively peaceful for many years. However, the recent riots are believed to be triggered by a constitutional bill aimed at expanding the electorate, which started as a peaceful protest but escalated out of control, according to France Info.
Due to the ongoing situation, New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has postponed his trip to the country. It is clear that the authorities are taking necessary measures to restore peace and order in New Caledonia, and the population is urged to cooperate and abide by the rules in order to avoid further violence and chaos.
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