Demonstrator dies during Paris protests as police detain record 855 people
Paris police said a demonstrator died during Saturday's protests against the high cost of living and austerity, stressing the death was unrelated to police action or clashes. The city's police prefecture said 855 people were detained in the capital, a record figure.
French police said on Sunday, October 18, that a demonstrator died during Saturday's mass protests in Paris. The cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest. Police stressed that the death was not connected to police action or to the clashes that broke out on the margins of the demonstrations. The protests against the high cost of living and austerity measures took place across the country, with an estimated 800,000 people taking part.
Record number of detentions
The Paris police prefecture said 855 people were detained in the capital during the demonstrations. The authority described the number as a record figure.
Looting and injuries
According to reports from news agencies, looters took advantage of the situation on Saturday to raid and vandalise shops and businesses in several places across France, including bakeries, supermarkets and tech stores. A fire broke out in Paris during the demonstration, and firefighters worked at the scene. A protester's hand was blown off by a police crowd-control grenade.
Who took part
Students, trade unions and yellow vest protesters joined forces in the demonstrations, voicing opposition to austerity measures and the cost of living. The events are being covered by France 24, drawing on Reuters, AP and AFP reporting.
