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France: Over 1000 Vehicles Set on Fire on New Year's Eve

Published January 2, 2026, 06:16
France: Over 1000 Vehicles Set on Fire on New Year's Eve

Over 1,000 vehicles were set on fire and over 500 people were apprehended in France during New Year's Eve, with 403 of those resulting in arrests and detentions. While the number of arrests is higher than last year, the Ministry of the Interior reports that the night was “calmer” and urban unrest was “limited.” Police officers were targeted with fireworks in several cities, including Nice, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Rennes. Approximately 90,000 police officers and gendarmes were mobilized across the country to ensure the safety of the celebrations. Arrests in Paris primarily concerned violence, participation in riots, and drug possession.