In brief
On Saturday, French police arrested 779 demonstrators amid a nationwide march against the rising cost of living, with 320,000 people reported to have taken part, including 70,000 in Paris. A homemade explosive injured a security officer near Porte de Charenton, sparking an attempted‑murder investigation. The Interior Ministry said most marches passed peacefully but tensions flared across several cities.
On Saturday, French police arrested 779 protestors as hundreds of thousands marched across France to protest the rising cost of living, according to the French Interior Ministry.
The Interior Ministry reported that about 320,000 people took part in the nationwide protests, with 70,000 demonstrators in Paris by 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on the day of the marches.
Although most of the marches passed peacefully, tensions arose during the dispersal of protesters in several French cities.
In Paris, a homemade explosive device detonated at the feet of a member of the security forces near Porte de Charenton in the 12th arrondissement, leaving the officer slightly injured.
The Paris prosecutor's office opened an investigation on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident.
French television channel BFM TV reported the arrest figures on Sunday, citing the Interior Ministry’s data.
The protests were part of a new wave of demonstrations against the rising cost of living and government policies that critics say are hurting ordinary citizens.
French authorities described the dispersal process as tense, highlighting the complexity of maintaining public order during large mobilisations.
The Interior Ministry’s announcement came after the violent incident in Paris, prompting officials to review security measures for future protests.
Overall, the event underscored the growing discontent among French citizens over economic pressures.
