**Tahiti has been placed on red alert as Cyclone Oli threatens the French Polynesian group of islands.**A statement issued by the Pacific island’s high commissioner warned islanders to stay indoors.
The statement predicted winds of more than 130km/h (80mph), with seven-metre (23ft) waves expected.
Schools and roads have been closed and car travel banned on several islands. More than 600 tourists on the island of Bora Bora have been relocated.
Cyclone Oli had been upgraded from a tropical storm on Wednesday night, the statement said.
The French Minister for Overseas Territories, Marie-Luce Penchard, who has been in Papeete since Sunday, told the AFP news agency many families were facing “grave health dangers”.
If there was widespread damage, she would be visiting affected areas “to see how France can help Polynesia”, she added.