SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Hundreds of passengers are stranded on the French Caribbean island of San Juan. martinique The airport was forced to temporarily close on Friday after protesters tried to gain entry by stepping over the tarmac, the airport and local authorities said.
The overnight closure disrupted flight operations, and airport authorities urged stranded passengers to contact their airlines for information once the facility reopens by mid-morning.
French Interior Minister Bruno Letailault said French authorities had regained control of the airport, which had been targeted by protesters. Recent protests condemning the high cost of living. Letaileau added that reinforcements were being sent.
“We will restore order,” he said. However, he added that “we have to take into account” local residents’ complaints about high prices.
“We have to do both,” he said.
Protests over the high cost of living have turned violent in Martinique since Monday night, with demonstrators setting fire to police stations, cars and road barricades, and clashing with police, leaving at least one person dead.
On Thursday night, protesters stepped over the tarmac of the airport in the island’s capital, Fort-de-France, and tried to force their way into the main entrance, according to videos posted on social media. Hundreds of passengers had been evacuated.
Police guarding the entrance were seen fending off violence from demonstrators and firing what appeared to be tear gas at demonstrators, after which the airport announced on Facebook that flight operations had been suspended.
Three planes carrying about 1,000 passengers had to be diverted to the nearby island of Guadeloupe on Thursday, the local Martinique prefecture said in a statement. A further 500 passengers who were supposed to board these flights were reportedly stranded at Fort-de-France airport.
The prefecture said the rush at the airport occurred after “rumors” spread on social media that hundreds of French police officers would soon arrive by plane.
“This completely false information is the root of grouping and airport runway intrusion,” the statement said.
So far this week: More than a dozen police officers were injured The government said protesters threw bottles and stones, and police responded with tear gas. Some demonstrators also opened fire, officials said.
In response to recent violence, the government has emphasized the ban on public demonstrations and announced another curfew.
This is the latest in a series of protests that began in early September, with France dispatch special riot police The island prohibits demonstrations in certain areas.
martinique Similar protests have taken place in recent years.much of it fueled by anger over what protesters say are economic, social and racial inequalities.
