Australian Evacuation Flights Begin as New Caledonia Reels from Riots

The first Australian government flight evacuating citizens from the French territory of New Caledonia touched down in Brisbane on Tuesday evening, as the territory continues to be gripped by riots sparked by electoral changes implemented by the French government.

The first Australian government flight evacuating citizens from the French territory of New Caledonia touched down in Brisbane on the evening of Tuesday, May 21, after evacuating people from the French territory which has experienced a week of deadly riots, sparked by electoral changes by the French government in Paris.

Around 3,200 people are waiting to leave or enter New Caledonia as commercial flights were canceled due to the unrest that broke out last week, the local government has said.

The Pacific territory of 270,000 people has been in turmoil since May 13, when violence erupted over French plans to impose new voting rules that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights.

The unrest has left six people dead, including two police officers, and hundreds injured.

France's High Commission in New Caledonia said on Tuesday the airport remains closed for commercial flights, and it will deploy the military to protect public buildings.

The Australian government has advised all Australians to leave New Caledonia immediately, and has urged those who are already there to stay indoors and avoid areas of unrest.

The Australian flights are expected to continue over the coming days, as the Australian government works to evacuate its citizens from the troubled territory.

The New Caledonian government has declared a state of emergency, and has imposed a curfew in the capital, Noumea.

The French government has sent a team of gendarmes to New Caledonia to help quell the violence.

The riots are the worst to hit New Caledonia since 1988, when clashes between pro-independence and pro-French groups left 22 people dead.

The current unrest has raised fears that New Caledonia could be on the brink of a civil war.

The French government has said it is committed to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis, and has called on all parties to engage in dialogue.

However, the pro-independence movement has said it will not negotiate with the French government until the new voting rules are withdrawn.

The situation in New Caledonia remains tense, and it is unclear how the crisis will be resolved.