'Massive' French police deployment arrives to secure New Caledonia

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises from a damaged garage as rioters protest against plans to allow more people to take part in local elections in the French-ruled territory, which indigenous Kanak protesters reject, in Noumea, New Caledonia, May 15, 2024, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Yoan Fleurot/via REUTERS/File Photo

SYDNEY/PARIS (Reuters) -French police reinforcements have started arriving in New Caledonia as part of a massive operation to regain control of the capital Noumea, the top French official in the Pacific island territory said on Friday.

The number of police and gendarmes on the French-ruled island will rise to 2,700 from 1,700 by Friday evening.