Brief
Riots erupt in Milan as cost‑of‑living protest turns violent
Police used water cannons and tear gas as masked protesters looted stores and set fires in Milan’s city centre.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Rioters broke into a peaceful cost‑of‑living march in central Milan on Saturday, throwing stones and paving blocks at police, setting barricades on fire and damaging a carabinieri vehicle. Police responded with water cannons and tear‑gas, and at least two officers were injured. About 50 demonstrators, many of them minors, were detained, according to LaPresse. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence on social media, saying the right to demonstrate does not include “setting our cities ablaze.” Milan’s centre‑left mayor Giuseppe Sala called the damage “unjustifiable.” The unrest coincided with nationwide protests in France over similar grievances, where French police also used tear gas and water cannons.
Key facts
- Rioters attacked police and set fires in Milan’s city centre (independent.co.uk)
- Two police officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators were detained (independent.co.uk)
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence on social media (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Rioters loot stores, set fires in central Milan during cost-of-living protest”
