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Police in Mauritius announced that the situation was under control after lifting the curfew at 6 a.m. on October 14, 2026, with traffic flowing normally across the island. The overnight restrictions, which covered the capital Port Louis and 14 other areas, followed days of violence that included tyre burnings, road blockades and attacks on police stations and other public buildings. According to police figures reported by Bloomberg, officers detained 93 individuals including 15 minors during the curfew, which carried penalties of up to five years in prison for violations.
The unrest escalated after a police officer shot and wounded 27-year-old Elodie Thomas as she travelled home from work in a van at Camp Levieux south of Port Louis on October 10. Health Minister Anil Bachoo stated that Thomas underwent successful surgery to remove the bullet with assistance from a team of Indian surgeons. Reuters reported that a police sergeant identified as Gautam Singh Taukoor has been arrested, provisionally charged in connection with the shooting and remanded in custody while an investigation continues.
Peaceful protests over persistent water shortages and the high cost of living had begun on October 7 in central regions of the island before the shooting transformed them into widespread disorder. Protesters blocked roads with debris and set fires, leading to reports of looting at supermarkets and injuries among officers at vandalised police stations. A Business Insider Africa assessment found that the events represent the most serious unrest since 1999 riots linked to cannabis decriminalisation demands in the normally stable Indian Ocean nation.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said in a national address that those responsible for the violence would face heavy consequences for their anti-patriotic acts and indicated that police sources pointed to organisation by individuals funded by drug traffickers feeling threatened by enforcement actions. Ramgoolam imposed the curfew from 8:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. across major population centres and said his cabinet would meet later on October 14 to review the position further. According to Al Jazeera, the prime minister’s office stated that public sector operations returned to normal after the overnight measures.
Foreign embassies including the British mission issued alerts urging nationals to avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings as schools closed temporarily and businesses recommended remote working. The Reuters news agency reported that public unrest remains rare in Mauritius, a country known as a tourism destination and financial services centre with limited history of such disturbances. Police have assured residents that normal activities can resume following the curfew period.
The developments have raised concerns about potential damage to the island’s reputation for stability, with one Business Insider Africa analysis placing annual tourism earnings at risk of disruption from the $2.2 billion sector. Multiple outlets including the BBC noted that the government has deployed additional forces to restore order in affected urban areas. Authorities continue to monitor the situation after the arrests and the lifting of restrictions.
