Macron calls crisis meeting after 2 killed, hundreds hurt in New Caledonia riots

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday convened a defense and national security council meeting to discuss riots that have killed two and injured hundreds in New Caledonia, his office said.

Macron has cancelled a trip to a French region planned for early Wednesday to handle the crisis in the Pacific territory, and the regular weekly cabinet meeting has been moved to the afternoon, officials said.

Authorities in New Caledonia on Wednesday reported a second person killed in riots sweeping the French Pacific territory that have injured hundreds.

The office of the high commissioner, France's top representative in New Caledonia, gave no details on the circumstances of the killing, after earlier reporting a first death from gunshot wounds in the unrest linked to protests against constitutional reform.

Hundreds of people including "around 100" police and gendarmes were injured in the unrest, two persons were shot dead overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday and dozens of homes and businesses have been torched.