First rescue flights head to riot-scarred New Caledonia
Australia and New Zealand dispatched three planes to evacuate tourists from New Caledonia on Tuesday, the first rescue flights since looting, arson and deadly gunfire enveloped the French Pacific territory eight days ago.
More than 3,000 people are estimated to have been stranded by the unrest, which led France to send in 1,000 army and police reinforcements and halt all commercial flights to the popular holiday island destination.
New Zealand is sending a government plane to repatriate "50 passengers with the most pressing needs" to Auckland, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said, describing the situation in New Caledonia as "dynamic".
"In cooperation with France and Australia we are working on subsequent flights in coming days," he said.
Australia said it had clearance to send two flights for its citizens and other tourists from the islands, which lie more than 1,000 kilometres (800 miles) east of the country.
"Passengers are being prioritised based on need. We continue to work on further flights," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a message on social media.
- 'Madness' -
The Pacific territory of 270,000 people has been in turmoil since May 13, when violence erupted over French plans to impose new voting rules that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights.
The unrest has left six people dead, including two police, and hundreds wounded.
Australian tourist Maxwell Winchester said he and his wife Tiffany were "ecstatic" to hear evacuation flights had begun after a week barricaded in a resort.
"We at least know we have a way out in the next few days," he told AFP.
Tourists have told AFP of food shortages, gunfire, and reports of arson and looting near resorts, leaving them fearful for their safety.
French authorities in New Caledonia said Tuesday that they were restoring "calm" across the territory, clearing burned-out vehicles from roads, and deploying troops to protect public buildings.
Police have arrested nearly 270 "rioters", and 21 supermarkets have been able to reopen and gradually restock, the French high commission said.
Roadblocks manned mainly by Indigenous Kanaks have paralysed much of the territory, including the critical supply route from the capital Noumea to the airport.
- No commercial flights -
In the Noumea beachside suburb of Magenta, AFP journalists said young activists had abandoned roadblocks and were clearing up the streets.
"I am so happy to see this and for the madness to end," said one tearful resident who gave only her first name Sylvie.
French President Emmanuel Macron said in Paris there was "clear progress in re-establishing order".
It was not immediately clear, however, if roadblocks were still being manned on the main route to Tontouta International Airport, which has been closed to all commercial flights until at least Thursday.
Some 600 heavily armed French police and paramilitaries destroyed 76 roadblocks on the 60-kilometre (40-mile) airport road at the weekend, officials said.
But AFP journalists said some roadblocks taken down by security forces had quickly been rebuilt by pro-independence forces.
Kanak activist group Ground Action Coordination Cell, or CCAT, said Monday it was keeping roadblocks in place.
The group, some of whose leaders are under house arrest on suspicion of organising the riots, said it had peaceful aims but warned Kanaks had suffered discrimination for too long.
- 'Catastrophic' -
The New Caledonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reported "catastrophic" economic damage from the unrest, with 150 businesses "looted and set on fire".
France is considering extending a 12-day state of emergency, which has led to a night-time curfew, house arrests of suspected ringleaders, and bans on TikTok, the sale of alcohol, carrying weapons and gatherings.
That would require the approval of both houses in the French parliament.
New Caledonia has been a French territory since the mid-1800s.
But almost two centuries on, opinion is split roughly along ethnic lines over whether the islands should be part of France, autonomous or independent.
Indigenous Kanaks, who make up about 40 percent of the population but tend to be poorer, say the latest voting regulations would dilute their vote.
But more recent arrivals to the islands say they are being deprived of their right to take part in local elections.
Military aircraft carrying the remains of two gendarmes killed in New Caledonia landed in France early Monday.
"The whole nation bows before their coffins," said French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
burs-djw/arb/cwl
G.Alamilla--ESF
