France has announced new curfew measures to quell unrest on its Caribbean island of Martinique after fresh riots over rising prices resulted in one death, 26 injured officers and widespread looting.
The French administration in Martinique on Thursday announced a ban on public gatherings until 14 October and imposed a curfew from 9pm to 5am.
The sale of materials that could be used in arson attacks was also prohibited.
Martinique’s airport and schools were shut down on Friday following a fresh wave of protests over the soaring cost of living.
Overnight, rioters looted shops, set up burning barricades and clashed with police.
At least three stores and several car parks were torched, and burnt-out cars blocked traffic on a major road in Fort-de-France, the island’s main city.
The local prefecture said one man died of his wounds after being shot, but that police did not open fire during the night.
‘Responsibility and calm’
The protests have disrupted flights at Martinique airport and flights are being re-directed to the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe.
Around 50 people stormed the runway of the airport, police told AFP.
FranceInfo reported eight arrests had been made and posted video showing police clashing with protesters.
The prefecture blamed the airport incursion on “completely false” rumours that hundreds of French riot police were en route to the island.
French Overseas Minister Francois-Noel Buffet condemned the violence and called for “responsibility and calm”.
(with newswires)
Read more on RFI English
Read also:
Curfew on French island of Martinique extended amid ‘worrying’ Covid surge
Martinique imposes night curfew as rising living costs trigger unrest
French anti-riot police sent to Martinique to enforce protest bans
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=670990237299412ea8692b8e0332f0f7&url=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.news.yahoo.com%2Ffrance-bans-protests-martinique-following-084908114.html&c=12864847343010600841&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-10-10 17:49:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.