Martinique unrest shuts airport, diverts 1,000 passengers
The international airport in Martinique was closed on Thursday evening due to a group of about a dozen people entering its grounds. The disturbance stems from the ongoing social unrest on the island since September. Planes carrying nearly 1,000 passengers were redirected to land in neighboring Guadeloupe.
They blocked the airport in Martinique
Around a dozen individuals entered the airport grounds when rumors circulated that a plane carrying additional police forces to support the local authorities would land there. As a result, officials decided to close the airport and reinstate the curfew. Schools will remain closed on Friday, and a ban on gatherings is in effect until October 14.
Social unrest has persisted since September, initially sparked by protests over various social issues. Martinique, an overseas department of France, has seen demonstrations escalate into nighttime riots characterized by violence, including looting, arson, and vandalizing cars.
Martinique has faced similar protests in the past, aimed at expressing anger over economic, ethnic, and social inequalities. According to 2023 data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), food prices on the island, home to about 350,000 residents, are 40% higher than in mainland France.
