Australians stranded in New Caledonia ‘running out of food’ amid civil unrest
Australians stranded in New Caledonia are rationing food as they wait for a way out of the troubled Pacific island territory after riots that killed four people. The riots were sparked by anger among indigenous Kanak people over a new bill that gives French people who have lived in New Caledonia for at least 10 years the right to vote. The unrest has resulted in burnt businesses, torched cars, looted shops, and road barricades, cutting off access to medicine and food. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Canberra is working with authorities in France and New Caledonia to assess options for Australians to safely depart. The New Caledonia government said the island has food stocks for two months, but the problem lies in distribution. French officials plan to remove road barricades booby-trapped by activists to supply food and medicine to the public.
