Fresh unrest in New Caledonia after independence activists flown to France for detention

Transfer of seven detainees to custody 17,000 kilometres away on charges tied to deadly unrest criticised as political deportation'

Buildings, including a police station and a town hall, were set on fire in New Caledonia overnight, authorities said, as the French Pacific territory was hit by a new surge of unrest.

It comes after seven independence activists linked to a group accused of orchestrating deadly riots last month in the French Pacific territory were sent to mainland France for pre-trial detention, a local prosecutor said.