Four dead in New Caledonia riots, France declares state of emergency. In response to deadly riots in New Caledonia sparked by electoral reforms, France has declared a state of emergency. The violence, which resulted in the deaths of three indigenous Kanak and a police official, erupted over changes that could affect the Kanak vote. The state of emergency includes curfews, additional police deployment, and restrictions on gatherings, as authorities strive to restore order and address the deep-rooted tensions related to France's colonial legacy and the island's strategic importance.