Shops looted in Nantes, projectiles thrown at police in Bordeaux, Lille amid France protests

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Shops were looted in the western French city of Nantes, while hundreds of masked individuals attacked police with mortars and projectiles in Grenoble on Saturday as demonstrations over living costs and public services continued across France.

The Loire-Atlantique prefecture reported that shops were being looted in Nantes, and said six people had been arrested.

In Grenoble, the Isere prefecture said around 400 masked individuals dressed in black bloc attire were causing damage and had attacked police with mortars and projectiles. Police were attempting to apprehend those involved and restore order.

The demonstration in Grenoble was organized by the CGT trade union and the Yellow Vest movement, according to the prefecture.

In Bordeaux, the Gironde prefecture said “hostile groups” were targeting security forces, throwing projectiles and setting up barricades at Place de la Bourse. It urged residents to avoid the area.

In Lille, projectiles were thrown at riot police as tensions escalated, according to journalists reporting from the scene. Police used water cannons against demonstrators.

The Nord prefecture estimated that 15,000 people had joined the demonstration in Lille and called on participants to leave the area peacefully.

Law enforcement had made 30 arrests in the Nord department by 3 pm local time (1300 GMT), including 25 in Lille, according to authorities. Police also seized numerous weapons, including hunting knives, butterfly knives and airsoft guns.

In Nice, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture said 40 people had been arrested by 4.30 pm (1430 GMT).

In Paris, the police prefecture estimated that 110,000 people had joined the demonstration, matching the figure reported for the previous week. It said the situation remained calm across the metropolitan area.

Authorities reported that more than 3,000 checks had been carried out in Paris and 65 people had been arrested. Trade union turnout figures for the demonstrations in Paris and Lille were not yet available.

In Marseille, tensions rose during a confrontation between police and some demonstrators, with officers using tear gas. Firefighters also extinguished a fire near the march, according to local media.

Police used tear gas as a demonstration moved toward Place de la Republique in Rennes, while the Rhone prefecture estimated that 10,000 people had gathered in Lyon.

In Chambery, clashes broke out between police and groups described by the Savoie prefecture as violent, as demonstrators blocked the city's urban expressway.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç