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New Year's Eve Sees Over 1,000 Vehicle Fires and Hundreds of Detentions in France

Published January 2, 2026, 07:15
New Year's Eve Sees Over 1,000 Vehicle Fires and Hundreds of Detentions in France

France experienced widespread but relatively contained urban unrest on New Year's Eve, with over 1,000 vehicles set on fire. According to the Ministry of the Interior, 505 people were detained, with 403 arrests and pre-trial detentions. Despite an increase in the number of vehicle fires compared to the previous year (1,173 versus 984), authorities describe the night as calmer, with fewer attacks on law enforcement. Police officers were targeted with fireworks in several cities, including Nice, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Rennes. A significant security presence was deployed, with approximately 90,000 police officers and gendarmes mobilized, the same number as last year. The increase in vehicle fires, despite the overall de-escalation, is a matter of analysis for the authorities. The previous year recorded 420 detentions and 310 arrests, while this year the numbers are significantly higher. The Ministry of the Interior maintains that the situation was improved compared to last New Year's Eve, especially in the suburbs, where unrest was less frequent. However, the image of burned-out cars remains worrying and highlights the need for continued vigilance and effective violence management.