French police shot and killed an alleged gunman during clashes in New Caledonia, according to local prosecutors. This incident raises the death toll from three months of unrest in the French Pacific territory to 11.

The shooting took place in Thio, a town in the eastern part of the territory, as police were clearing a bridge.

Prosecutor Yves Dupas reported that an officer was struck in the face by a rock, prompting police to return fire after being shot multiple times. Two protesters were wounded, one of whom died en route to the hospital. Dupas noted that several investigations are underway and promised to provide more details later.

Not an isolated incident 

In mid-July, another alleged gunman was killed under similar circumstances when police, responding to gunfire while clearing roadblocks in the Mont-Dore district near Noumea, shot back and killed a man.

Unrest in New Caledonia, located nearly 17,000 kilometers (10,600 miles) from Paris, erupted in mid-May over a proposed expansion of the electoral roll. Indigenous Kanak people fear this change would marginalize them and undermine their aspirations for independence. Protests have involved erecting roadblocks and the burning and looting of cars, businesses, and public buildings. Paris responded by deploying thousands of troops and police.

The proposed electoral change, which requires amending the French constitution, has been stalled since President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament for new elections. The resulting lower house lacks a clear majority. It is worth noting that the arrest of pro-independence figures on June 19 further fueled the unrest.

New Caledonia has been a French territory since the mid-1800s. Almost two centuries on, its politics remain dominated by debate about whether the islands should be part of France, autonomous, or independent.

Indigenous Kanaks make up about 39% of the population but tend to be poorer and have fewer years of schooling than European Caledonians. Kanak groups argue that the latest voting regulations would undermine their vote.