FIRES AND CLASHES ROCK FRANCE AMID MASSIVE NATIONWIDE PROTESTS
Protesters clashed with police in Paris and other French cities on Saturday as hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest higher living costs and the declining conditions in schools and other public services. Several town halls were broken into – and in at least one instance set on fire – and many shops were vandalised and ransacked. One protester had his hand torn off by what appeared to be a crowd-control grenade used by police.
Police and protesters clashed violently in Paris and other French cities Saturday on the sidelines of nationwide marches against soaring inflation, with one demonstrator’s hand blown off, multiple blazes set and looters breaking into dozens of stores to strip them bare.
Macron and his government were criticised by many of the demonstrators, who numbered 500,000 across the country, according to the CGT union. Authorities did not immediately give their estimate of numbers.
Police used tear gas and water cannon against masked protesters in Paris and other cities who were throwing projectiles and aiming fireworks. Several parked cars were torched in the capital, and more than 130 arrests made.
OCTOBER 18, 2026 – FRANCE 24
The widespread unrest follows weeks of student protests and deepens political uncertainty in France as it readies for elections in six months’ time to replace President Emmanuel Macron.
