New Caledonia: Aussies caught in violent riots on Pacific island neighbour claim they’ve been ‘abandoned’ by the government

Australian tourists stranded on a Pacific island embroiled in civil unrest claim they have been abandoned by the Australian government.

New Caledonia, about 750 miles (1,210 km) east of Australia’s northeast coast in the Pacific Ocean, descended into violence on Tuesday with authorities declaring a state of emergency in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Two days ago, riots broke out in the French territory after lawmakers in Paris introduced a bill to allow French citizens who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in regional elections.

Cars were set on fire and streets were blocked with police vehicles and hundreds of tactical officers, as thousands of protesters clashed with police and security officials.

The move has angered the island’s indigenous Kanak people, who believe their voices will be in the minority if the measure is upheld.

Dozens of Aussies currently in New Caledonia have been stranded as a result of the civil unrest that has escalated in recent days.

An Australian tourist, Max Winchester, said he and his wife fear for their safety after their requests for travel assistance to return home were denied.

“We called the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) twice and their response was basically: we are on our own,” he said. 3AW on Wednesday morning.

Mr Winchester, who lives in Woodend in Melbourne’s northwest, said they were forced to stay at a resort as tensions quickly escalated between the violent crowd and authorities.

“We were walking around town on Tuesday morning and everything was fine. We went to lunch, came back from lunch and everything changed,” he said.

“Looting has started, shops are on fire, supermarkets have been looted, so there are now people without food, including tourists.”

Police and tactical officers (pictured) blocked roads in an attempt to restore order as the violence escalated

Australian tourists stranded on the Pacific island claim they have been denied travel assistance by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (photo, containers of water on the streets of New Caledonia)

Several other Australian tourists, including Nicole Hatten and her family, are stuck in the capital Noumea, while city streets were set on fire.

“It was a bit scary and a bit confronting to know that this was going on,” Ms Hatten said 7 News.

Another traveler, Mike Lightfoot, also expressed concern about the developing situation.

‘Quite a frightening experience. As we approached one of the roundabouts, there would have been about 150 people rioting,” he said.

Three young Kanak people have been killed and a young police officer has also died as a result of the violence.

The Australian government has called for calm and strengthened its travel advice, warning people to reconsider their need to travel.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on Australians in New Caledonia to stay safe and said the government was closely monitoring the situation.

“Our Consulate General in Noumea is advising Australians in New Caledonia to minimize movements, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities,” he said during Question Time in Parliament on Wednesday.

“The government has also raised the general advisory level for New Caledonia and is now advising travelers to exercise great caution,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Thursday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) urged Australian tourists in New Caledonia to stay safe as the government monitors the situation

Rioters (photo) have taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the new electoral laws that the French government wants to introduce on the island territory.

Protesters took over the streets (pictured), with the riots leading to the deaths of three indigenous people and a young police officer

The Australian Consulate General in Noumea is temporarily closed, according to the smartraveller website.

Australians have been told to contact the government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Center if they need assistance.

“We have increased the advisory level for New Caledonia and now generally advise a high degree of caution due to protests and travel disruptions,” the website said.

‘A state of emergency is in force in New Caledonia. Until further notice, a curfew is in effect for the Noumea metropolitan area between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.”

The international airport is also closed due to the disruptions.

The French government has also called for a easing of tensions as France deployed law enforcement officials from the country to beef up security in a bid to restore calm.