France Arrests 1,800 After Nationwide Protests Turn Violent, Businesses Looted and Public Buildings Attacked
France has arrested around 1,800 people following nationwide protests that turned violent, with clashes between demonstrators and police, looting of businesses and attacks on public buildings reported in several cities. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the arrests on October 18, 2026, as authorities assessed the damage caused by the previous day's unrest.