Demonstrations continued in France on Saturday against the poor condition of schools and the rising cost of living, and violence broke out across the country during the day.
According to the French government, at least 1,200 people were arrested as about 5.5 lakh people took to the streets. The government described it as an "increase in violence".
There were large-scale clashes with anti-riot police in the capital Paris till evening. Police used tear gas and water cannons on the crowd.
Buildings were set on fire in the capital and other areas. These include Limoges, where a portion of the roof collapsed due to a massive fire in the town hall.
Looting started in many cities. There were also reports of large-scale vandalism targeting town halls and commercial establishments.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 policemen were injured during the violence.
The main march in Paris appeared largely peaceful during the afternoon. A group of youth told the BBC that they were "pacifists" and "just trying to change things, but nothing is changing."
However, as the day progressed, some groups set fire to the streets and burnt vehicles. This also included prominent places such as the Place de la Republique in the city centre. Shops were ransacked and goods were looted. At least one restaurant was completely destroyed in the fire. The BBC also witnessed fighting between some groups.
Anti-riot police were seen moving towards a crowd in central Paris and beating several people with batons.
Lyon Mayor Grégory Douce described the fire at the city's tourism office as "a tragedy" for the city. "It breaks our hearts because it's a very famous and historic building," he told BFMTV.
Local police said "hostile people" prevented firefighters from safely extinguishing the fire. Firefighters also tried to control the fire in Limoges Town Hall. A part of the building collapsed due to the fire.
Regis Juanico, mayor of the south-eastern city of Saint-Etienne, said on social media that a young man "had his arm blown off by a grenade". He further said, "Such a tragedy should never have happened."
The Interior Ministry said "masked men" carried out "targeted violent incidents" during the protests in parts of the capital and elsewhere, including Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Anjou. There were reports of damage to buildings in France. These include Grenoble, Avignon, Po, Montpellier and Valence.
In Paris, shops selling clothes and food items were looted, while in the city of Lille, the Apple Store was entered and its goods were taken away.
BBC Verify confirmed a video showing masked men driving a train of tourists down a narrow street in the city center of Grenoble towards at least three riot police.
In recent weeks, millions of students have demonstrated against staff shortages and dilapidated facilities in the country's lycées, or secondary schools. Children of 15 to 18 years study in these schools. Since the end of September, French students have closed the doors of hundreds of high schools across the country to demand better conditions. There have also been clashes with security forces during these demonstrations.
Large-scale demonstrations by high school and university students continue to demand more investment in French schools. An alliance of some of the biggest unions of the country has also joined them. On Saturday, the number of protesters increased with the participation of trade union members and other protest groups.
These groups also include the so-called 'Yellow Vest' movement. Members of this movement had protested against the rising cost of living for more than a year in 2018. It became one of the longest-running protest movements in French history.
Incidents of protests and unrest are not new in France, but this time the demonstrations are taking place at a time when the country is entering a period of deep political uncertainty. French President Emmanuel Macron will step down next year. According to opinion polls, the presidential election in April could turn into a contest between National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the hard-left party La France Insoumise.
Melancho took part in the demonstrations in France. He later accused police officers of "clashing down" against the protesters, although he also condemned the looting and arson. Prime Minister Lecornu described his comments as "dangerous and condemnable". Earlier he had said that the police faced "extreme violence". He also said that some groups were using these demonstrations as "practice" before the presidential elections. He further said, "No one will impose their political agenda through violence."
Le Pen said that the "legitimate demands" raised by the protesters have been taken hostage by the radical left. He accused the Melancholy of promoting violence.
French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Those who vandalized prefectures and business establishments, attacked them and even looted our town hall will be prosecuted and punished."
The government has also made efforts to give concessions. Education Minister Edouard Geffre promised to hire 3,000 additional temporary teachers during a television interview on 8 October.
