Over a thousand people were arrested during French demonstrations, 150 police officers were injured, and Paris shops were looted

(Central News Agency, Paris, Comprehensive Foreign News Report on the 18th) Many shops in Paris, France, had their windows smashed and merchandise stolen. Robbers poured into stores everywhere to plunder, but the authorities did not stop them. Paris has also been plunged into turmoil as demonstrations across the country turned violent.

According to reports, a large number of masked men wearing black hooded shirts pulled hard on the iron rolling door of the store until it was torn open, and then looted the shelves of cigarettes, sunglasses, clothing, jewelry and food.

In the past few weeks, France has witnessed successive student demonstrations. On the 17th, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across the country to protest against the rising cost of living. With only half a year left until the French presidential election, demonstrations have further exacerbated political uncertainty and turned violent.

AFP reporters witnessed robbers walking out of a supermarket with handbags stuffed with cakes, juice and alcohol. They also ransacked a small jewelry store across the street and took away an antique clock; an entire rack of sunglasses on a corner display was removed.

Alma, a 38-year-old art teacher, and her colleagues sat on the outdoor seats on the roadside and watched the scene in front of them. She said she had "never seen anything like this."

The two participated in a march earlier in the day and tried to go to the French presidential palace Elysee Palace (Elysee Palace), but failed to arrive. Still, they said they "understood" the struggle.

The French Ministry of the Interior pointed out that 550,000 people participated in the demonstrations in Paris and other cities. The French General Trade Union (CGT), which participated in the demonstrations, estimated that 800,000 people had joined.

Due to frequent violence around the parade, the police fired tear gas at demonstrators who threw objects and fired fireworks, and deployed water cannon trucks to disperse the crowd.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu severely condemned this "extremely serious act of violence". He said late last night that the police had arrested 1,200 people and 150 police officers were injured.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said entire streets in the capital were severely damaged. He stressed that people's right to demonstrate is vital, but violence is "unacceptable."

Most of the restaurants, hotels and residences have not been affected so far. Therefore, Parisians are enjoying lunch with friends in restaurants as usual, while a large number of people are wreaking havoc on the other side of the street.

Near the famous Place de la Republique in central Paris, broken glass and various debris were scattered on the ground, and thick black smoke was rising from a pile of burning bicycles.