Arsonists are reportedly setting fire to schools and hundreds of cars overnight in New Caledonia, officials reported Wednesday. The arson attacks occurred as French President Emmanuel Macron made a surprise visit to the territory, aiming to quell nine days of deadly riots on the French Pacific archipelago.
Macron departed Paris on Tuesday to address the turmoil in New Caledonia, a popular holiday destination now marred by destruction. Roads are strewn with charred vehicles, and numerous shops, schools, and other buildings have been reduced to ashes.
The riots, which erupted on May 13, have resulted in six fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The Pacific islands, home to 270,000 residents, have been gripped by the deadliest unrest in four decades.
French authorities have reported a decrease in violence following the deployment of 1,050 troops, tactical police, and national security reinforcements from Paris. These forces have been dispatched to stabilize “highly sensitive” areas across the territory.
Despite this, the mayor’s office in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, confirmed that two primary schools and 300 cars at a dealership were torched overnight. The spate of arson adds to the extensive damage already inflicted during the ongoing crisis.
The unrest has been attributed to French plans to extend voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous residents. Indigenous Kanaks argue that this move will dilute their electoral influence, sparking widespread outrage and violent clashes.
Since the outbreak of violence, police have arrested more than 280 individuals labeled “rioters” by French authorities. Macron’s visit signals a high-stakes effort to restore order and address the grievances fueling the unrest.