Riots and looting leave burnt vehicles and damaged shops across France
About 550,000 people protested across France on Saturday over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services, including schools. Most demonstrations were peaceful, but riots and looting in Paris, Marseille, Lille and other cities left damaged shops, burnt vehicles and fires, prompting around 1,800 arrests.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers were injured. Looters ransacked shops, while fires damaged buildings including Lyon’s tourist office and Limoges town hall, which officials said was largely lost after part of it collapsed. A young man in Saint-Étienne lost a hand in an explosion; the article also describes residents and shopkeepers clearing debris and assessing losses.
- Around 550,000 people joined protests across France.
- About 1,800 people were arrested as unrest spread.
- Fires and looting caused serious damage in several cities.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Burnt out cars and shattered glass on Paris streets after protests turn to riots and looting”.