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Protests in France result in thousands of arrests and injuries among police

Demonstrations against inflation and cuts to public services in France have triggered 2,400 arrests and 997 injuries among security forces.

18 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Protests in France result in thousands of arrests and injuries among police — Archive photoPhoto: Pedro Toniazzo Terres · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Triggered by protests against inflation and cuts to public services, demonstrations in several cities across France have led to the arrest of at least 2,400 people. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, these episodes of violence culminated in a total of 997 injuries among police, firefighters, and gendarmes.

The figures regarding arrests and injuries were released amid an escalation of street conflicts, with reports of significant clashes, looting, and vandalism of public buildings. Security forces faced intense episodes of violence while attempting to control the crowds.

According to estimates from the Ministry of the Interior, around 550,000 people participated in the demonstrations, while protester organizations report a higher figure, estimating that nearly 800,000 joined the mobilizations.

French Prime Minister stated that the situation justifies the imposition of restrictive measures, including preventive detention for those who attack authorities or damage public property. This approach aims to deter violence associated with the protests.

Additionally, sources indicate that numerous reports suggest the riots caused damage amounting to several hundred million euros, reflecting the seriousness of the material damage incurred during the clashes.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and protests persist as part of a broader movement that has been ongoing for a month, involving a coalition of various student and social forces.

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