'Shots fired' at security forces in New Caledonia riots

A burned-out car showroom in Noumea, the New Caledonia capital. [AFP]

New Caledonia's high commissioner said Tuesday that shots had been fired at security forces during a night of riots in the French Pacific territory that saw vehicles torched and shops looted.

"There have been no deaths," High Commissioner of the Republic Louis Le Franc told reporters, adding that "shots were fired at the gendarmes using high calibre weapons and hunting rifles".