Violence has erupted during nationwide protests in France. Demonstrations led by high school students demanding improved educational conditions have escalated into large-scale protests against high living costs, taking on a violent form. According to French authorities, approximately 2,400 people have been arrested, and around 1,000 police officers have been injured. As the intensity of the protests rises, the European news channel Euronews reported that its reporting team was assaulted by protesters.
Estelle Nilsson-Julien, a correspondent, reported on October 17 from near a supermarket where looters were active. When the looters surrounded the reporting team, they attacked the cameraman and attempted to seize the microphone. The cameraman was pushed against a wall and struck in the face, and during the scuffle, the looters stole the camera.
Although the camera was later recovered, the SD card and all recorded footage had been deleted. Nilsson-Julien stated, “I witnessed fires breaking out nearby and heard loud police sirens. The streets are in a state of anarchy, and there are many young people ready to fight, marking the complete end of peaceful daytime protests.”
Another correspondent, Valérie Goria, reported being assaulted while interviewing a protester. A masked individual struck him from behind and hurled insults, criticizing the media covering the protest.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his feelings of “anger and shame” regarding the looting and violence that occurred during the protests on October 18, stating, “Nothing can justify, explain, or excuse this.” Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire described the scale of the damage as “massive and tremendous,” noting that the streets of Paris have been systematically destroyed.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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