Paris, October 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
French authorities have taken around 1,800 people into custody following nationwide protests that descended into clashes, arson and looting, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Sunday. More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters have been injured, while several hundred businesses have suffered material damage, according to the minister.
In a statement posted on X, Nuñez condemned attacks on law enforcement personnel, public institutions and commercial establishments. He said investigations were underway to identify those responsible and ensure they faced justice.
“Manifesting is a fundamental right. Sowing disorder with violence and in a concerted manner is not,” Nuñez said, thanking police officers, gendarmes and firefighters who responded to the unrest.
The minister alleged that radical left-wing groups were responsible for attacks on public buildings and confrontations with security forces, while opportunistic criminals later joined the violence and looted businesses. He named Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, Strasbourg, Grenoble and Nice among the cities affected.
Nuñez said the number of injured personnel remained provisional and described the property damage as considerable.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in Limoges, where a fire severely damaged the city hall during Saturday’s protests. Local authorities said the blaze had been brought under control after the building’s roof largely collapsed.
The violence erupted on the sidelines of nationwide demonstrations on October 17 against rising living costs and deteriorating public services, with students, trade unions and other groups participating. While many marches remained peaceful, groups of demonstrators clashed with police, set fires and broke into shops and public buildings.
The unrest also affected Lyon, where a tourist office was set on fire, and Marseille and Lille, where town halls were reportedly entered and vandalised. In Paris, police used tear gas to prevent demonstrators from advancing towards the Champs-Elysees, an area known for its luxury stores.
The French government has condemned the violence while maintaining that peaceful protest remains a fundamental right.
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