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Reuters

The French overseas territory of Guadeloupe was hit by a third night of looting and rioting amid protests against Covid-19 measures, with gunmen shooting at police and firefighters, the authorities said on Sunday.
Police arrested 38 people as shops were broken into and cars set ablaze.
Special police forces were expected to arrive from mainland France to the Caribbean archipelago on Sunday to restore order.

“This situation cannot be accepted nor tolerated,” government spokesman Gabriel Attal told Europe 1 radio.
In a sign unrest could spread to other overseas territories in the Caribbean, trade unions called for a general strike on the island of Martinique from Monday, French media reported.
The strike notice demands an end to the mandatory vaccination of health workers as well as support to deal with high fuel prices.
Guadeloupe’s prefect, Alexandre Rochatte, who represents the French government, said in a statement that armed groups had tried to loot shops in Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre and Lamentin and battled police.
Shots were fired at police and firefighters trying to put out fires. Four pharmacies were broken into and cars set on fire while barricades were erected to stop security forces from intervening, the prefect added.
Coronavirus: violence erupts in Brussels against new Covid-19 measures
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Saturday that France would send to the territory about 50 members of the GIGN and RAID elite tactical forces of the gendarmerie and police.
Prime Minister Jean Castex is also expected to meet Guadeloupe officials on Monday in Paris to discuss the situation.
Rochatte on Friday had imposed a curfew from 6pm to 5am following five days of civil unrest during which barricades burned in the streets and firefighters and doctors walked out on strike.
Trade unions in Guadeloupe started an indefinite strike last Monday to protest the compulsory vaccination of health workers against Covid-19 and health pass requirements.

Guadeloupe and Martinique have a deep-rooted history of vaccine hesitancy amid distrust of the Paris government.
Health ministry data show that so far 38 per cent of the population had received a first coronavirus vaccination in Martinique and 36 per cent in Guadeloupe, compared with 77 per cent of the French population.
In August the Paris government was forced to appeal to doctors and nurses from metropolitan France to volunteer in Guadeloupe and Martinique, as a wave of infections overwhelmed hospitals.


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Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus: third night of violence in Guadeloupe as France sends in police special forces

A man rides his bicycle past a smoking street barricade after violent demonstrations broke out over coronavirus restrictions in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

France's Secretary of State and Government's spokesperson Gabriel Attal gives a press conference at the end of a cabinet meeting at the Elysee palace in Paris, on November 17, 2021. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Two men walk past a street barricade after violent demonstrations which broke out over coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols, in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe November 21, 2021. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo

Dutch police detain dozens amid Covid-19 rioting

Violent protests against Covid-19 restrictions continued for a second night into Sunday in The Hague. Photo: AFP

Protestors gather at Cafe del Mondo during demonstrations against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures in Amsterdam, Netherlands, November 20, 2021. REUTERS/Eva Plevier

Police officers patrol on the street during riots against the partial lockdown and the 2G government policy at the De Kemp district in Roermond, on November 20, 2021. - Fresh rioting broke out late November 20, 2021 over the Dutch government's coronavirus measures, with rioters pelting police with stones and fireworks as protests turned violent for a second night in the Netherlands. (Photo by ROB ENGELAAR / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Coronavirus: violence erupts in Brussels against new Covid-19 measures

A protester walks past burning rubbish as clashes erupt during a demonstration against Covid-19 measures in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday. Photo: AFP

A protester throws stones towards riot police as clashes erupt during a demonstration against Covid-19 measures, including the country's health pass, in Brussels on November 21, 2021. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

Coronavirus: Tens of thousands protest in Austria against nationwide lockdown

People burn bengalos as they take part in a demonstration against coronavirus restrictions in Vienna, Austria on Saturday. Photo: AP

Demonstrators wave Austrian flags during a rally held by Austria's far-right Freedom Party FPOe against the measures taken to curb the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, at Heldenplatz square in front of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria on November 20, 2021. - Austria will impose a lockdown for all and make vaccinations mandatory, Austria's Chancellor Schallenberg announced on November 19, making the country the first in the EU to take such stringent measures as coronavirus cases spiral. The Alpine nation plans to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory from February 1 next year, while the lockdown will start from Monday, November 22 and will be evaluated after 10 days. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP)

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Officers arrested 38 people as shops were broken into, cars set ablaze and gunmen shot at police during protests against coronavirus restrictions
Special police forces were expected to arrive from mainland France to the Caribbean archipelago on Sunday to restore order



Officers arrested 38 people as shops were broken into, cars set ablaze and gunmen shot at police during protests against coronavirus restrictions.


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