Macron heads to riot-hit New Caledonia as Australia, NZ evacuate tourists

FILE PHOTO: A car is seen lit on fire, amid protests 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 18, 2024 in this screengrab from video obtained by Reuters. Video Obtained by Reuters/via REUTERS /File Photo

SYDNEY/PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to the Pacific island of New Caledonia late on Tuesday, his office said, just over a week after riots erupted in the French overseas territory, killing six.

Australia and New Zealand were evacuating tourists from the island as the violence left a trail of destruction with looted shops, torched cars and road barricades restricting access to medicine and food.