France has sent police special forces to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe amid riots over COVID-19 restrictions.

Interior minister Gerald Darmanin denounced “unacceptable” violence on the French overseas territory.

He said 50 officers from police special forces would travel to Guadeloupe, in addition to 200 police officers sent from France’s mainland.

It comes after several days of protests and road blockades erupted into rioting.

Mr Darmanin told France’s Le Parisien newspaper “some shots have been fired against police officers” in Guadeloupe and there had been looting.

Footage on social media showed cars and buildings had been set on fire, with French media reporting that several buildings in the city centre of Pointe-a-Pitre, the island’s largest city, had been destroyed.

Road blockades had put hospitals in a “very difficult situation for a few hours” with patients and supplies unable to reach them, Mr Darmanin said.

COVID-19: UK passes 15 million booster jabs as 40,004 coronavirus cases recorded in latest 24-hour period

‘Unprecedented pressure’ for this time of year: NHS under strain even before winter peak, boss warns

COVID-19: ‘Firmly’ in Plan A – England on ‘right path’ but must be cautious ahead of Christmas, Javid says

“The state will stand firm,” he stressed.

So far at least 31 people have been arrested by the police.

Guadeloupe Prefect Alexandre Rochatte has imposed a nightly curfew from 6pm to 5am.

On Saturday he said some electrical facilities near dams had been damaged, which caused power cuts to some customers.

The protests were sparked by trade unions to denounce the coronavirus health pass required to access restaurants, cafes, cultural venues, sports arenas and for long-distance travel.

They were also demonstrating against France’s mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers.

Mr Darmanin said around 80% of healthcare workers on the island had been vaccinated.

Related posts:

Salisbury suspects wanted over deadly explosion condemned as ‘war-like act’ Families reunite as travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand opens ‘Callous’ ransomware attack has caused ‘catastrophic’ damage to Irish health care system Female Afghan MP doubts Taliban will to stick to women’s rights promises Polish Olympian auctions silver medal to pay for baby’s lifesaving heart surgery ‘It’s time to end this war’: US president promises to get Americans home but admits ‘cannot promise’ final outcome Massive wildfires devastate protected area of Bolivian forest ‘Lives are at stake’: British forces have evacuated 3,800 from Kabul – but fears mount over deadline ‘Please help us’: Desperate plea from migrants stuck in no man’s land between Belarus and Latvia French football match abandoned after fans throw projectiles and invade pitch Taliban fail to appoint any women in final list of government ministers PM says UK will ‘contribute’ to NATO deployment if Russia invades Ukraine