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Mauritius reels from worst riots in decades after woman shot by police
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew to control the worst riots in decades, sparked by protests over water shortages and high living costs that turned violent after a woman was shot by police.
- The police officer involved in the shooting was arrested and remanded in custody, though the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear.
- Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam condemned the violence, warning that those responsible would face severe consequences and emphasizing the importance of national stability for the tourism and financial sectors.
- The unrest included road blockades, vandalism of police stations and public infrastructure, school closures, and public transport disruptions, with foreign embassies issuing safety alerts.
- Despite ongoing incidents and arrests, police reported a return to normal traffic by Wednesday morning, though analysts warn that protests could recur due to persistent water shortages until the rainy season in December.
