France has started evacuating tourists from its overseas territory of New Caledonia after days of unrest in the Pacific archipelago.
French tourists flew to Australia and New Zealand on military planes on Saturday, news channel BMFTV reported. They then return home on commercial flights.
New Caledonia has been under a state of emergency since last week after a wave of riots that left seven people dead and hundreds arrested.
France has sent additional security forces to the archipelago. Australia and New Zealand began evacuating their residents earlier this week, with Nouméa airport still closed to all commercial flights
The protests began in response to proposed electoral reforms that would give French citizens the right to vote in provincial elections after ten years of residence in the area.
New Caledonia’s indigenous Kanak people, who have long campaigned for independence, accused Paris of pushing through the controversial reform without taking into account strong opposition among the majority of the area’s residents.
During a visit to the area on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would pause reform until the situation calms down and political talks can resume.
In three referenda in 2018, 2020 and 2021, the residents of the former French colony voted in favor of remaining part of France. However, since the last vote, which was boycotted by the separatists, talks on a new status have stalled.
