Key facts
- Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew to quell riots.
- Riots escalated after a woman was shot and wounded by police.
- The officer involved in the shooting has been arrested.
- Protesters burned tires and blocked roads, vandalizing public property.
- Schools and public transport were closed.
- The government is reassessing the situation on Wednesday.
Mauritius, a well-known tourism and financial services hub, is experiencing its worst riots in decades. Peaceful protests over water shortages and the high cost of living, which began a week ago, turned violent on Friday when a woman was shot and wounded by police at a roadblock. The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, but the officer involved has been arrested and remanded in custody.
In response, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam ordered a curfew on Tuesday, warning against actions detrimental to the country's interests. He stated that those responsible for the "anti-patriotic acts" would face severe consequences. Over the weekend, protesters escalated the unrest by burning tires and blocking roads, leading to the vandalism of police stations and other public infrastructure.
The ensuing chaos prompted the closure of schools and public transport, prompting foreign embassies to issue cautionary alerts to their nationals. Despite the curfew, police reported several incidents and arrests overnight. However, by Wednesday morning, traffic had resumed throughout the island, and authorities assured the public that normal activities could resume.