PARIS: France woke up on Sunday to widespread destruction following a day of protests and riots. Streets in Paris were littered with shattered shop windows, burnt-out cars, scorched bicycles, broken glass, and other debris.
On Saturday, police arrested approximately 1,800 people as around 550,000 demonstrators gathered across the country. Although most of the demonstrations remained peaceful, some turned violent.
The protesters were expressing their anger over rising fuel prices, the increasing cost of living, and the declining quality of public services, including education.
However, groups of rioters, some dressed in black and wearing masks or balaclavas, also took to the streets of Paris, Marseille, and several other cities. Some of them set fire to vehicles and buildings, while widespread looting was reported in Paris, Marseille, Lille, and other areas.
In Paris, demonstrators confronted riot police, who responded by using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Throughout the day, some protesters started fires in the streets and set vehicles ablaze. At least one restaurant was completely destroyed by fire, while the BBC witnessed clashes among several groups of protesters.
Riot police were also seen charging towards a crowd in central Paris and striking several individuals with batons.
Meanwhile, in the southern city of Marseille, protesters forced their way into the city hall, using a metal fence as a battering ram. In Lille, police reported that a McDonald’s restaurant had been set on fire, while an Apple store was broken into and looted.
(Inputs from BBC)
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