France imposes state of emergency on Pacific territory rocked by violence

New Caledonia has been rocked by violence sparked by voting changes (AP Photo/Clotilde Richalet, File)

The French government announced on Wednesday it will impose a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia for at least 12 days, boosting police powers in an attempt to quell deadly unrest that has left four people dead.

French government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon in Paris.