Parapolitika.gr

Paris descends into chaos after PSG Champions League win

PSG Champions League victory celebrations turned violent in Paris with 780 arrests, 219 injuries and widespread riots across the French capital.

Paris descends into chaos after PSG Champions League win
World
newsroom

Violent riots erupted on Saturday night (May 30) in Paris and other French cities following the Champions League final where Paris Saint-Germain claimed the trophy, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties. Absolute chaos prevailed almost immediately after the final, when violent clashes broke out between supporters of the French team and police, resulting in injuries to a total of 219 people. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, eight of the injured are hospitalized in serious condition.

Read: Champions League: Paris becomes war zone after PSG victory – 416 arrests, seven police officers injured (Video)

Night of hell in Paris – 57 police officers injured

Thousands of police officers had been deployed to contain the riots, which caused disruptions to bus, rail and metro services in Paris. 57 police officers were also injured. Nunez stated that 780 people were arrested during the riots, with more than 450 placed in custody. One person was found dead following a traffic accident on the Paris ring road, which rioters had attempted to block during the night.

Approximately 6,000 police officers have been mobilized for Sunday’s victory parade near the Eiffel Tower.

Paris: Fires in bins and violent clashes with police

The Interior Minister emphasized that security forces will respond “with determination” to any new incidents. “We are a great country when it comes to maintaining public order. We allow freedom of assembly, but not excesses,” he said.

The frenzied celebrations of the French team’s supporters quickly turned into a night of hell: Young people, mainly North Africans, set up barricades with hundreds of electric bicycles, set fires to bins and engaged in looting of shops in the French capital. Hand-to-hand battles with police followed.

At Place de la République, hundreds of supporters were repelled by continuous raids from CRS (French riot police special units) and moved towards Boulevard Voltaire and Place de la Nation. The throwing of flares and improvised explosives did not stop, while the crowd – very young and uncontrollable – gave the image of a city struggling to maintain control.

Related Posts