May 25 (Reuters) – A security operation was carried out overnight from Friday to Saturday in the Kaméré district of Nouméa after more than 30 people tried to flee by sea due to fires, announced Saturday the High Commission of the Republic in New Caledonia.
“Around thirty people tried to flee by sea following house fires,” the High Commission said in a press release. “Four boats made available by local residents enabled the evacuation of 35 people, including 7 minors, under the security of the nautical brigade.”
No injuries were reported, it was added.
The High Commission also indicated that measures to accompany foreigners and French tourists were continuing.
Nouméa-La Tontouta international airport will, however, remain closed to commercial flights until Tuesday, May 28, 9:00 a.m. local time, “the date on which the reopening will be re-evaluated”, specified the High Commission.
The death toll from violence in New Caledonia rose to seven deaths on Friday with the shooting death of a 48-year-old man, killed by a police officer, the day after Emmanuel Macron visited the island.
Actions are being carried out in several neighborhoods and “the neutralization and cleaning of the roadblocks is carried out under the security of the police and gendarmerie forces”, it is said in the press release.
(Written by Camille Raynaud)
©2024 Thomson Reuters, all rights reserved. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Thomson Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. “Reuters” and the Reuters Logo are trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.