Marseille: The unrest in France continued for a fourth consecutive night, arresting more than 470 individuals. The tragic police shooting of a teenager sparked the protests. Nevertheless, it has been observed by officials that there is a slight decrease in tumultuousness about the previous night.
To effectively address and contain the intensifying occurrences of riots and looting nationwide, an extensive deployment involving 45,000 police officers has been executed as of Friday night. This strong presence encompasses various specialized forces. While Paris experienced relatively improved conditions, other major cities such as Marseille and Lyon faced more chaotic scenes. In these cities, buildings and vehicles were set ablaze, and stores were looted.
The unrest extended beyond the cities, as shops in various Paris suburbs, along with an Apple store in the centre of Strasbourg, was targeted and looted in the afternoon. France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, met with police in the early hours of Saturday morning, affirming that “the republic will prevail over the rioters.” He disclosed that 471 arrests had been made nationwide, emphasizing that the intensity of the protests had diminished compared to the previous days.
Darmanin strongly condemned the “unacceptable violence” in Lyon and Marseille, where public demonstrations were banned and public transport was halted. In Marseille, more than 80 arrests were made, prompting the mayor, Benoit Payan, to call for immediate additional troop deployment from the national government.
Reports emerged of an Aldi supermarket being targeted in a looting ram-raid, while an apparent explosion in the city of Marseille was under investigation, with no casualties reported. Although several rifles were stolen from a gun store, authorities confirmed no ammunition was taken. One individual was apprehended with a rifle suspected to be from the looted store.
In Lyon and its surrounding suburbs, rioters set cars on fire and launched fireworks at the police. To regain control, law enforcement deployed armoured personnel carriers and a helicopter in the third-largest city of France.
While Paris experienced a comparatively quieter night, with a “massive deployment of law enforcement forces deterring any signs of confrontation or disruption,” according to Le Monde newspaper, there were still 120 arrests in the capital. Reports emerged of burned garbage and violent scuffles in the Les Halles district.