France counts the cost of violent protests as 1,800 are arrested
Violent protests across France on Saturday led to 1,800 arrests, the burning of a historic town hall and widespread looting. On Sunday the country was assessing the damage.
France was assessing the damage on Sunday, 18 October, after violent protests the previous day. According to the international news broadcaster France 24, 1,800 people were arrested during the unrest, a historic town hall was set on fire and there was widespread looting.
Scale of the damage
France 24 describes the country as reeling from the extent of the destruction. The title of its video report uses the phrase "Like we had a war", conveying the impression the aftermath has left. The number of arrests, the torching of the historic building and the looting are the main facts the outlet reports about Saturday's events.
What is not yet known
The source material gives no details on what triggered the protests, which towns and cities saw the worst of the unrest, whether anyone was injured, or the total cost of the damage. This report will be updated as more precise information becomes available.
