Pacific / New Caledonia

New Caledonian man dies after being detained

18:39 pm on 4 August 2019

A 38-year-old man in New Caledonia has died after he was detained following a violent outburst at his home.

The prosecutor said police in Ouvea were called to the man's home on Thursday night because of his violent behaviour.

He then reportedly assaulted an officer, prompting his colleague to use a taser to subdue him and, with the help of a local, to detain him.

On the way to the medical centre, the handcuffed man lost consciousness and died at the centre.

According to the prosecutor, the local doctor declared that he died of a cardiac arrest after several reanimation attempts.

An inquiry has been opened and an autopsy ordered.