The sole airport on the French Caribbean island of Martinique has reopened after violent protesters tried to break in and forced authorities to temporarily close it, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Officials said the airport resumed operations on Friday. Videos posted on social media showed the protesters, some hooded, overrunning the tarmac of the international airport on Thursday night. Some attempted to force its main entrance, where hundreds of passengers had taken shelter.
Police securing the entrance were seen fending off assaults and sending what appears to be tear gas in the direction of the demonstrators.
The prefecture of Martinique said the run on the airport came after rumors spread on social media about the imminent arrival of hundreds of French police officers by plane.
The latest round of violence prompted the government to announce another curfew as it stressed that demonstrations on public roads were prohibited.
It is the latest in a string of protests that began in early September, prompting France to send special anti-riot police to the island.
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