French forces in New Caledonia have dismantled around 60 barricades along the main road connecting the airport to the capital, Noumea, but the airport remains closed as debris clearance will take several days.

High Commissioner Louis Le Franc emphasised the ongoing efforts to restore order after protests over a constitutional amendment left six dead and hundreds injured. The amendment has sparked outrage among the Indigenous Kanak people, who fear it will undermine their electoral influence.

Amidst the worst violence in decades, France has deployed troops, imposed a state of emergency, and banned TikTok in the territory.