Mauritius extends curfew for 2nd night amid unrest in several areas

The African country of Mauritius on Wednesday extended its curfew for a second night as the island nation reeled from the worst unrest it has seen in nearly three decades in certain areas.

An initial night’s curfew imposed on Tuesday was earlier lifted on Wednesday morning after police said the situation had been brought under control with several arrests.

A spokesperson in Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam’s office said Wednesday that all schools would remain closed for the rest of the week, except those with students taking international exams.

The unrest began last week over water shortages and the cost of living, intensifying after a woman was shot and injured by police.

In a televised national address imposing the initial curfew Tuesday, Ramgoolam described the unrest as unacceptable.

After Wednesday’s announcement, tour operators asked customers to remain at accommodation sites and to avoid unnecessary travel during the curfew hours from 830 pm to 5 am on Thursday.