First French tourists evacuated from New Caledonia as unrest continues

Roadblocks are still in place in some areas of the capital Noumea. © AP/Ludovic Marin

The first evacuation flights for French tourists stranded in New Caledonia due to riots in the Pacific territory took off Saturday, the high commission in the archipelago said.

The international airport in the capital Noumea has remained closed for more than a week and all commercial flights have been cancelled due to the unrest.