SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Hundreds of passengers were stranded after protesters temporarily closed an airport on the French Caribbean island of Martinique on Friday after trying to gain entry by stepping over the tarmac, the airport said. announced local authorities.
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 Letailraud said French authorities had regained control of the airport targeted by demonstrators during recent protests denouncing the soaring cost of living. Letaileau added that reinforcements were being sent.
“We will restore order,” he said. However, he added that “we need 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.
The local prefecture of Martinique announced on Thursday that three planes carrying around 1,000 passengers had to be diverted to the nearby island of Guadeloupe. 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.
The government said more than a dozen police officers had been injured so far this week as 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 deploying special riot police to the island and banning demonstrations in certain areas.
Martinique has seen similar protests in recent years, many fueled by anger over what demonstrators say is economic, social and racial inequality.
