448 Arrested in France Protests, 53 Police Officers Injured

French police have arrested 448 people during nationwide protests demanding higher wages and lower living costs. At least 53 police officers were injured and 86 fire incidents were reported during the demonstrations on Thursday (November 5).

France’s Interior Ministry said the figures on arrests, injuries and fires were recorded nationwide up to 6pm on Thursday.

Tensions flared between protesters and police in Paris, Lyon, Rennes and Toulouse. However, the ministry said most of the demonstrations remained peaceful.

According to the ministry, around 575,000 people took part in the nationwide protests, including approximately 65,000 in the capital, Paris. An earlier estimate had put the total number of participants at around 600,000.

However, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) union said nearly 1.6 million people joined the demonstrations across the country. It estimated that around 350,000 protesters took to the streets in Paris alone.

CGT Secretary-General Sophie described the strike as “highly effective” and urged the government to take swift action to address workers’ demands.