Yesterday's eventful protests in Italy had a heavy toll

The consequences of yesterday's eventful protests in the cities of Milan, Bologna and Turin in the north of the country are slowly becoming clear.

According to the news of the Italian ANSA agency, thousands of people took to the streets yesterday with the call "Italy to the squares" against the high cost of living. 28 people were detained during the demonstrations that turned into violence, especially in Milan, Turin and Bologna. The news stated that 12 of these people were minors and 6 were foreign nationals.

It was also noted that the identities of 197 people who were said to have caused violence in protests across the country were identified.

It was stated that in the violent incidents in the cities of Milan and Bologna, where some store windows were broken, others were attempted to be looted, and garbage bins were set on fire, a total of 1 million euros of material damage was caused, with an estimated cost of at least 500 thousand euros in each of the two cities.

It was reported that at least 161 people, including 141 security guards and 20 demonstrators, were injured in the incidents.

Tension continues today in Milan

It was learned that in Milan, which turned into a war zone during yesterday's protests, the security forces took additional precautions in the square after some young people gathered in groups of 10 and 20 in and around the Duomo Square.

It was noted that tensions rose between the demonstrators and the security forces from time to time, especially on Via Torino Street, and that chases sometimes occurred, and some demonstrators threw stones and stun grenades.

It was reported in the press that some demonstrators who covered their faces broke the windows of some stores on the street, used the tables of restaurants to create barriers to the streets, and some stores were looted.

Events in Milan sparked controversy in politics

Commenting on yesterday's events, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said, "There were a lot of extremely violent protesters and a small number of police officers, especially in Duomo Square. I have no problem with the Chief of Police, on the contrary, he is a person with whom I work every day, but I have the impression that the situation was underestimated and the forces available at the Milan police headquarters were insufficient." he said.

Responding to Sala's statement, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said, "The Mayor of Milan directly blamed the police force, which was insufficient in numbers to deal with the large number of violent protesters in Duomo Square. This is the usual natural and instinctive reflex of a certain radical chic left, which cannot condemn acts of violence without discrimination and always prefers to focus on the so-called responsibilities of the state and its representatives." he said.

Meanwhile, it was reported in the press that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called public security units to a meeting in line with the recent events.