# Mauritius police shooting and civil unrest > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mauritius-police-shooting-and-civil-unrest > Updated: 2026-10-20T11:42:13.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 8. Following the October 9 shooting of 27-year-old supermarket cashier Élodie Thomas, Mauritius has faced what has been described as the “worst riots in three decades.” Thomas, a mother of a two-year-old, was struck in the back of the neck by a police bullet while traveling home in a work van in Camp-Levieux. While she has shown signs of physical recovery, the incident escalated frustrations over water shortages and the rising cost of living into widespread violence involving road blockades, looting, and attacks on police stations. As of October 18, the country is experiencing a gradual return to normalcy. Public services and education are slowly restarting, including the Metro Express and various schools and polytechnics. However, several School Certificate (SC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations that were postponed must be rescheduled, with Education Minister Mahen Gungapersad in discussions with Cambridge regarding these exams. The government has maintained a curfew to prevent further disturbances following significant violence on October 13 and 14. Legal proceedings have intensified. On October 19, three police officers appeared before the Rose-Hill court on charges of “culpable omission,” suspected of failing to provide necessary assistance to Thomas and a minibus driver. They were granted bail with a Rs 25,000 requirement and a Rs 100,000 recognizance. Sergeant Gautam Singh Taukoor, accused of firing the shot that wounded Thomas, faces provisional charges of “Using Firearm to Intimidate” and “Involuntary Wounds and Blows by Imprudence”; he remains in police custody until October 26. Additionally, twelve individuals are facing trial for violating the curfew. During a hearing on October 19, nineteen witnesses testified regarding disturbances in the areas where the defendants were apprehended. The defendants, who cited reasons such as medical emergencies or visiting ATMs, are scheduled to testify on October 21. ## Claims - The government imposed an overnight curfew from 20:30 to 06:00 in several areas including Port Louis. (disputed by 4 sources) - A police officer shot and injured 27-year-old Elodie Thomas in the face. (disputed by 3 sources) - Elodie Thomas was shot in the back of the neck on October 9, 2026. (disputed) - Night curfews are in effect from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (disputed) - The unrest includes looting of supermarkets and attacks on police stations. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Protests were driven by water shortages and the cost of living. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Schools in certain parts of the country were temporarily closed due to the unrest. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The officer involved in the shooting has been charged and detained. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Cabinet will meet to analyze the situation on Wednesday. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Medical teams from India were used to operate on the shooting victim. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-20: Mauritius textile industry faces delays after social unrest Mauritius's textile industry faces production drops and shipping delays of a week or more following recent social unrest and curfew-related operational disruptions. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mauritius-textile-industry-faces-delays-after-social-unrest ### 2026-10-20: Mauritius curfew violation trial moves to defendant testimony Twelve people in Mauritius face trial for curfew violations after witnesses confirmed local disturbances during recent hearings. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mauritius-curfew-violation-trial-moves-to-defendant-testimony ### 2026-10-19: Mauritius police officers granted bail in Élodie Thomas shooting case Three Mauritian police officers were granted bail for allegedly failing to assist Élodie Thomas after she was shot by a colleague, Sergeant Gautam Singh Taukoor, in Camp-Levieux. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mauritius-police-officers-granted-bail-in-lodie-thomas-shooting-case ### 2026-10-18: Mauritius begins return to normalcy after week of unrest Mauritius is gradually resuming normal activities following a week of violence and vandalism. A curfew remains in place as authorities address socio-economic tensions and potential links to drug trafficking. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mauritius-begins-return-to-normalcy-after-week-of-unrest ### 2026-10-16: Mauritius unrest follows shooting of Elodie Thomas The shooting of 27-year-old Elodie Thomas by a police officer in Mauritius has sparked widespread unrest, leading to night curfews and an independent investigation into the incident. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mauritius-unrest-follows-shooting-of-woman-by-police-sergeant ### 2026-10-15: Mauritius imposes curfews following water shortage protests Mauritius has imposed night-time curfews and made 94 arrests following violent protests over water shortages and rising living costs, affecting areas near Port-Louis. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mauritius-imposes-curfews-following-water-shortage-protests ### 2026-10-13: Mauritius imposes curfews amid violent unrest and police shooting Mauritius faces major unrest and overnight curfews following violent protests triggered by water shortages, economic hardship, and a police shooting of a young woman. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mauritius-unrest-follows-police-shooting-of-young-woman ### 2026-10-10: Mauritius: Police investigation into shooting of Élodie Thomas Police in Mauritius are investigating a shooting in Camp-Levieux that critically injured Élodie Thomas. A sergeant has been charged, and medical specialists from India have arrived to perform emergency surgery. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-sergeant-arrested-after-shooting-in-camp-levieux --- Cite as: Mauritius police shooting and civil unrest. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mauritius-police-shooting-and-civil-unrest