Eight people were arrested in Martinique after the invasion, Thursday, October 10, of the runway at Fort-de-France airport, which caused the diversion of three flights to Guadeloupe, the police announced on October 11.
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On Thursday, October 10 in the afternoon, around a hundred people invaded the terminal and the runways of Fort-de-France airport in the commune of Lamentin (center of the Martinique), throwing projectiles at the police. Looting of businesses, burning of public buildings and a blockade established on the A1 which connects the airport to the capital of the island followed, according to the police who say they were targeted by various projectiles, including incendiary devices. .
Urban chaos
According to the Guadeloupe prefecture, three flights were diverted to the neighboring island approximately 130 kilometers away with “ on board 1,117 passengers “. Several flights departing from and arriving at Fort-de-France airport have also been canceled, according to the airport website. Since September, Martinique has been gripped by a mobilization against the high cost of living which has degenerated into urban violence. These have plunged the island into chaos since the night of Wednesday October 9 to Thursday October 10, with numerous episodes of looting and acts of vandalism.
Despite a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. imposed by the island’s prefect, the violence and fires continued into the following night. Numerous fire outbreaks were reported and flaming blockades set up on several roads. Friday October 11, a new round table bringing together state services, local authorities, economic players and activists against the high cost of living is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time (9 p.m. in Paris).
Small advances
The previous meeting ended without agreement but with progress, according to local media RCI which believes that the negotiations are stumbling on two points: the number of products affected by a price reduction and the ceiling to contain the gap with prices of France.
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