Despite the occurrence of nearly 1,000 cars being intentionally set on fire, the New Year in France was largely welcomed by hundreds of thousands of people engaging in peaceful celebrations, as reported by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Late on Wednesday, Retailleau revealed that a staggering 984 cars were engulfed in flames throughout the country. Subsequently, a total of 420 individuals were arrested, with 310 of them being detained by the police.
Expressing his dismay, the minister deemed these statistics as unacceptable. He condemned the violence as a manifestation of brutality perpetrated by individuals he described as cowards and thugs, targeting the property of ordinary French citizens who lack the means to safeguard their vehicles in private car parks.
However, amidst these incidents, the atmosphere on the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris remained unaffected as revelers partook in the festivities, enjoying stage performances and musical entertainment, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at the Arc de Triomphe, as observed by the interior minister.
The event, anticipated to draw approximately 1 million attendees similar to the previous year, was reportedly characterized by a predominantly peaceful ambiance according to preliminary accounts.
To ensure public safety, a contingent of 10,000 police officers was deployed across the French capital, implementing special security measures for the festivities on the main thoroughfare, which was cordoned off to vehicular traffic.
Attendees were subjected to multiple security checkpoints, with stringent rules in place such as the prohibition of fireworks and glass bottles, significantly curbing the consumption of alcohol among celebrants.
According to reports from officials, BFMTV channel disclosed that 136 individuals were apprehended during the New Year celebrations in the city.
Beyond Paris, the transition to the new year unfolded relatively tranquilly, although in certain urban areas, confrontations between celebrants and law enforcement were witnessed.
Tragically, in Strasbourg, a 15-year-old youth lost his life after being struck by a vehicle fleeing from police authorities.
In another distressing incident in Lyon, a two-year-old child sustained serious eye injuries from being hit by a firework, as detailed by media outlets.
Furthermore, a school in Sarrebourg, located in Alsace, fell victim to arson, although fortunately, there were no reports of injuries stemming from the incident.
