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Fire at Nelson Mandela High School in Nantes is under control

A fire broke out at the Nelson Mandela high school during student protests, suspending school activities indefinitely.

2 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Fire at Nelson Mandela High School in Nantes is under control — Archive photoPhoto: Jibi44 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

A fire occurred this morning at the Nelson Mandela high school, located in downtown Nantes. According to reports, the blaze started in the building's hall and, although it is now under control, the school will remain closed for an indefinite period. Students and staff members expressed shock following the incident.

According to sources, the fire was sparked by individuals who joined the student protests. These protests aim to demand better conditions in educational institutions, including infrastructure and resources.

Reports indicate that, during the blaze, some students were still inside the building. All were successfully evacuated. The high school, which was inaugurated in 2014 and is recognized for its sustainable construction, suffered significant damage.

Amid these events, student protests in Nantes and across the country have gained momentum, resulting in the closure of several schools. The French government stated that around 400 schools are non-operational this Friday due to the protests.

Students in various cities, including Paris, have blocked institutions to demand more resources and the replacement of teachers. This intensifying protest movement has led to clashes and incidents of violence, according to local authorities.

As the situation continues, authorities are monitoring the protests, which have intensified over the past two weeks and have generated a significant response from emergency services and law enforcement.

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