Australia is working with French authorities to ensure a quick exit for people seeking to flee strife-torn New Caledonia as soon as the Pacific island nation’s airport is reopened.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal government was in touch with about 300 Australians registered in New Caledonia, where a vote last week by France’s parliament to change the territory’s electoral laws triggered widespread riots in the capital, Noumea.A police officer interacts with a man as others queue to enter a supermarket in the Magenta district of Noumea, France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia.
The territory’s top French official, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, said 230 people had been arrested over clashes with police and arson and looting. Aircalin plans to resume flights on Tuesday when Tontouta airport is expected to reopen, but Air Caledonie has no flights planned for the time being, the airlines said.
Two supermarkets in Noumea reopened on Saturday under the protection of the army after France sent hundreds of reinforcements last week to regain control of the capital.
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