Marseille braces for more unrest after protests give way to 'apocalyptic' disorder
Marseille is experiencing significant civil unrest, with widespread looting and property damage following protests. Authorities have implemented bans on gatherings and are considering curfews to restore order after violent clashes between police and demonstrators.
Why it matters
The scale of the violence highlights deep-seated social tensions in France and poses a significant challenge to government stability and public safety.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, France saw some of the worst disorder in its modern history on Saturday, with the violence in Marseille among the most serious
Thunder and lightning have boomed across Marseille following the weekend's mayhem, illuminating the cracked windows and boarded-up doors of hundreds of businesses that were smashed as protests gave way to disorder.
France's second city saw some of the worst violence as chaos gripped the country on Saturday. Local business leaders say more than 500 premises were damaged, and the majority looted.
A police union boss told the BBC that the weekend had been an "apocalyptic" hell for his colleagues. 118 officers were injured, representing more than a tenth of the national figure.
So far, 101 arrests have been made in the port city, a quarter of them children.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in