Cars torched, shots fired as riots rock French Pacific territory of New Caledonia

The streets of New Caledonia’s main city Noumea bore the scars of clashes on Tuesday with traffic blocked by burnt-out cars and smoking piles of tyres

Riots erupted over a constitutional reform being debated in Paris that aims to expand the electorate in the overseas territory’s provincial elections

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Smoke rises in the distance on Tuesday amid unrest in Noumea, New Caledonia, over a constitutional bill aimed at enlarging the electorate in the French overseas territory. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:01pm, 14 May 2024Updated: 3:49pm, 14 May 2024

People in New Caledonia’s main city Noumea assessed the damage on Tuesday after a night of rioting in the French Pacific territory that saw vehicles and shops torched, and shots fired at security forces.

Riots erupted on Monday over a constitutional reform that is being debated in the national assembly in Paris, and which aims to expand the electorate in the territory’s provincial elections.

Groups of demonstrators took over several roundabouts and confronted police, who responded with non-lethal rounds, while the territory’s high commissioner said shots had been fired at security forces during the riots.

On Tuesday, the streets of Noumea bore the scars of clashes between the police and rioters with traffic blocked by burnt-out cars and smoking piles of tyres.

“The police station nearby was on fire and a car was too, in front of my house, there was non-stop shouting and explosions, I felt like I was in a war,” said Sylvie, whose family has lived in New Caledonia for several generations.

Burnt-out cars are seen outside a showroom in Noumea on Tuesday. Hundreds of cars were set alight overnight, as were more than 30 businesses, shops and factories. Photo: AFP

“We are alone. Who is going to protect us?” she said, asking to be identified only by her first name.