6 Sep 2018

Probe opens into alleged murder attempt in New Caledonia

7:27 pm on 6 September 2018

A probe into an alleged murder attempt has been opened in New Caledonia after a police vehicle was shot at near Noumea.

truck is parked behind a police vehicle outside the local government building as part of a protest in Noumea organised by ContraKmine, the union of mining contractors, calling on local authorities to overturn a decision on nickel exports to China on August 5, 2015.

A dump truck is parked behind a police vehicle at the start of this month outside the local government building in Noumea to protest against a decision to export nickel to China. Photo: AFP/ Fred Payet

Reports said police were tracking a stolen vehicle when a passenger in the car opened fire.

Nobody was injured but the police vehicle was hit by a bullet and abandoned the chase.

The local newspaper said it was second time in three weeks that a police vehicle had been targeted by gunfire in the area.