The death toll from rioting in New Caledonia, France’s overseas territory in the Pacific Ocean, has risen to 13, French media reported.
Two people were shot dead in a police operation overnight in the French territory of New Caledonia, where unrest between the indigenous Kanak population and French loyalists began in May.
The incident occurred during clashes between police and demonstrators in the village of Saint-Louis near Nouméa, the administrative centre of the overseas territory. According to the material, the police are still searching for ten more people suspected of attacking law enforcers.
During the protests in New Caledonia, which began on May 13, police detained more than 2.4 thousand people. Earlier, it was reported that the damage from the riots exceeded one billion euros.
The Kanaks fear the reform will dilute their vote and make any future independence referendum more difficult, while Paris has said the measure is necessary to improve democracy by allowing more French residents to vote.
President Emmanuel Macron suspended the controversial reform plan in June, but violence has continued sporadically.
