VIDEO: Paris in Flames as Protests Lead to 217 Arrests

A video presents the chaos that unfolded yesterday during riots in Paris. Cars were set ablaze as police employed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the unrest. Protesters are still demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne.

According to BFMTV, citing prefectural data, the number of individuals detained during protests against pension reforms in central Paris has reached 217.

As reported by RIA Novosti, people began gathering near the National Assembly building in Paris after the Prime Minister announced the adoption of a law through Article 49.3 of the Constitution, bypassing legislative approval. Thousands then converged on Place de la Concorde.

As night fell, clashes erupted between protesters and police, who used tear gas. Later, water cannons were deployed to clear the demonstration. By late evening, protesters had erected barricades and set fires, with several vehicles ablaze.

Demonstrations also took place in nearly all major cities across France on Thursday. Authorities plan to raise the retirement age by three months annually starting September 1, 2023, eventually reaching 64 years by 2030, up from the current age of 62.