Mauritius Announces Curfew After Unrest Over Police Shooting

Mauritius has imposed a night curfew in Port Louis and other major population centres after public unrest followed the shooting of 27-year-old Elodie Thomas by a police officer.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced that the restriction would run from 8:30pm local time until 6am. The precise geographic boundaries of the curfew were not provided.

Protests follow shooting

Thomas was wounded while travelling home from work in a van. The Health Ministry said she underwent successful surgery to remove a bullet. No further details about her condition were provided.

Protesters burned tyres and blocked roads on Monday in response to the shooting. Police deployments followed the road blockages and unrest.

Local media reported that a police sergeant had been charged in connection with the incident. The specific charge was not provided, and details about what led to the shooting remain unclear.

Schools closed as authorities respond

Some schools were closed on Tuesday because of the turmoil, according to the Education Ministry.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the situation had returned to normal and that the public sector would operate as usual. Mauritian police, according to Reuters, said an investigation into the incident was underway.

Ramgoolam’s cabinet was reportedly expected to meet on Wednesday to assess the situation.

Public unrest is uncommon in Mauritius. The island nation is in the Indian Ocean.