France protests descend into looting as 1,500 businesses suffer damage

Violent protests in France spilled over into looting and damage to property on Sunday, as the country grappled with the aftermath of a day of demonstrations over rising living costs. While police moved to disperse crowds in Paris, looters targeted at least one clothing store and set bikes ablaze. Authorities arrested around 550 people in the capital, with nearly 500 still in detention following Saturday's unrest.

President Emmanuel Macron vowed that perpetrators of vandalism and looting would face prosecution. Marine Le Pen, the far-right presidential candidate, accused the government of being "exhausted and disoriented," suggesting a "profound crisis of trust and authority." Le Pen's comments came as US President Donald Trump blamed immigration for the unrest, alleging that "people with hatred in their hearts" had shattered France.

The unrest affected at least 1,500 businesses, causing an estimated $300 million in losses. In Limoges, a 19th-century town hall was burned down, while in Lyon, a tourist office and a store were also looted. Tourists in Paris described the scenes as alarming, with tear gas and protests causing widespread chaos.

According to the Interior Minister, around 500 police, firefighters, and paramedics were injured during the protests, which drew an estimated 550,000 to 800,000 participants. The violence also claimed a 17-year-old boy's right hand and a 17-year-old girl's eye in Saint-Etienne and Mulhouse, respectively.