151 Arrested in Mauritius Unrest, Including 16 Minors
Mauritius police have arrested 151 people, including 16 minors, since civil unrest began on 12 October, according to official figures.
Mauritius authorities have arrested 151 people in connection with the civil unrest that erupted across the island from 12 October 2025, according to figures published by Le Defi Media. Of those detained, 16 are minors, highlighting the broad age range of those caught up in the disorder.
The arrests follow a wave of riots, looting and public violence that broke out in several parts of Mauritius and caused widespread disruption to daily life. The Metro Express light rail network was shut down for four days, businesses reported losses estimated at up to Rs 470 million, and schools and public services were affected across the country.
The involvement of minors in the unrest has raised particular concern among child welfare advocates and government officials. Under Mauritian law, juveniles accused of criminal offences are handled separately from adults, typically through the Juvenile Court system, which focuses on rehabilitation alongside accountability.
The Mauritius Police Force has been working to restore order since the trouble began, with roadblocks, increased patrols and curfew measures introduced in affected areas. The government also moved to explore broader emergency powers, including nationwide curfew authority and tougher legislation around weapons, in response to the scale of the violence.
The unrest has been linked to deep-seated social frustrations, though no single trigger has been officially confirmed. Communities in several districts, including areas in the north and east of the island, were among those most affected by the violence and looting.
What this means: The arrest of 151 people in under two weeks signals that Mauritian authorities are pursuing prosecutions across a wide range of individuals involved in the unrest. The inclusion of 16 minors adds a significant legal and social dimension to the aftermath, with families, schools and social services likely to be drawn into proceedings. For residents and businesses still recovering, the figures also confirm the scale of the law enforcement response as the island works to return to normality.
Source: Le Defi Media
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been arrested in connection with the Mauritius unrest?β
As of the figures published by Le Defi Media, 151 people have been arrested since the unrest began on 12 October 2025, including 16 minors.
How are minors treated under Mauritius law when arrested during civil unrest?β
In Mauritius, juveniles accused of criminal offences are handled through a separate Juvenile Court system, which prioritises rehabilitation alongside legal accountability, rather than being processed through the standard adult criminal courts.
What triggered the civil unrest in Mauritius in October 2025?β
No single official trigger has been confirmed by Mauritian authorities. The unrest has been broadly linked to social frustrations, and resulted in looting, riots and significant damage across several districts, with business losses estimated at up to Rs 470 million.
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