Rioters loot stores, set fires in central Milan during cost-of-living protest

Milan, Italy experienced a chaotic scene on Saturday as protesters clashed with police, looted stores, and set fires in the city center. The demonstration, initially peaceful, turned violent when masked protesters threw stones and other objects at riot police, causing widespread damage to Piazza del Duomo and a luxury shopping arcade. Images from the aftermath depicted a severely damaged carabinieri vehicle, as police responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

At least two police officers sustained injuries, and approximately fifty demonstrators, including many minors, were detained, according to LaPresse news agency. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the violence in a social media post, emphasizing that while the right to protest exists, destroying cities is not an acceptable response.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence in a social media post. "Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not," she wrote, citing "hooligans who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those responsible for ensuring security and hold entire cities hostage."

Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, acknowledged the understandable reasons behind the protests but firmly stated that the violence against law enforcement and the significant damage to the city were unjustifiable. The unrest mirrored nationwide demonstrations in neighboring France, where police also used tear gas and water cannons to quell violent protesters.