Massive protests in France against rising living costs and fuel prices have escalated into violence, causing significant chaos in major cities, including the capital, Paris. Amid looting and vehicle arson, approximately 2,400 people have been arrested, with clashes between police and protesters continuing into the following day.
According to reports from Reuters and AFP on October 18, the French Interior Ministry estimated that 550,000 people participated in protests across the country on October 17, while the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) estimated the number at 800,000. Most demonstrators marched peacefully, but some radical groups clashed with police and engaged in looting, leading to increased damage.
The Interior Ministry reported that about 2,400 people were arrested during the unrest, and around 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, with seven sustaining serious injuries.
In the aftermath of the protests, Paris was left with burned vehicles, damaged shops, and charred barricades. On the famous Champs-Élysées, luxury store windows were shattered, and some shops were looted. In the area around Place de la République, vehicles and bicycles were set ablaze, and shops were vandalized.
A Dutch entrepreneur visiting Paris described the scene to Reuters, saying, "It looks like a war zone." He reported having to evacuate from the hotel where he was staying with his family due to the chaos caused by the protests.
The protests began last month with high school students demanding improvements in educational conditions and expanded as workers and ordinary citizens joined in response to rising living costs, fuel prices, and deteriorating public services. The demonstrations have evolved into anti-government protests, with some participants from the 'Yellow Vest' movement, which previously rocked France in 2018 over fuel tax increases and economic inequality.
Serious injuries have also occurred during the protests. In Saint-Étienne, a 17-year-old boy suffered severe injuries to his right hand from a police riot grenade, while a 17-year-old girl in Mulhouse lost an eye. In Paris, one protester suffered cardiac arrest during the demonstration and later died, although authorities stated that the death was not directly related to the clashes.
Looting and arson have also been reported in provincial cities. In Marseille, stores including Hermes were looted, and in Bordeaux, masked crowds stormed the governor's residence. In Lyon, a tourist information center in the city center was set on fire.
In Limoges, a town hall built in the 19th century was severely damaged by arson, with the fire causing the town hall clock tower to collapse, shocking local residents.
French retailer Carrefour reported that 50 of its stores nationwide were affected, with looting occurring in 20 of them, resulting in damages amounting to millions of euros.
Violence continued on October 18, with hundreds gathering at Place de la République after organizing via social media, leading to clashes with police. Some participants threw stones and bottles at officers, who responded with tear gas and flashbangs to disperse the crowd. Authorities arrested an additional 42 people that day, with at least five shops looted nearby.
In a national address, President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the violence, stating, "Tonight, we all feel anger and shame," emphasizing the need to distinguish between peaceful protesters raising legitimate demands and those involved in destruction and looting. He indicated that local authorities might ban certain gatherings to protect public buildings and shops, but did not announce a state of emergency or curfews as some opposition members had called for.
The government plans to support affected merchants and review police responses to the protests. Macron instructed Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin to assess whether intelligence gathering and preemptive measures were adequate and to propose improvements.
Political tensions surrounding the situation are escalating. With the presidential election approaching in about six months, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally criticized the government's response, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI), urged the government to address the demands of youth and citizens.
Opinions on responsibility for the violence are divided. The French government claims that some far-left groups and criminal organizations led the violence and looting, while the left argues that police repression exacerbated the clashes. Local media have also pointed out the need to differentiate between peaceful protesters and those involved in arson and looting.
As discontent over rising living costs and educational conditions remains unresolved, the continuation of violence over two consecutive days has drawn attention to the government's response and the potential for further protests.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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