France unrest: Everything you need to know

France experienced widespread unrest and damage on Sunday, following violent protests the previous day that saw around 1,800 people arrested and numerous shops looted. The unrest raised concerns for President Emmanuel Macron, who is set to address the nation that evening. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that police had arrested 1,800 individuals, with investigations underway to identify those responsible for the acts of violence.

Paris suffered the most damage, with a record 855 arrests, numerous torched cars, smashed shopfronts, and burnt debris. Hundreds of businesses were damaged, causing losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros. The protests were sparked by rising living costs, linked to the war in the Middle East. The violence took place during nationwide demonstrations attended by an estimated 550,000 people, with the CGT union claiming 800,000 participants.

A 17-year-old boy lost his right hand to a crowd-control grenade in Saint-Etienne. Analysts suggest the unrest was largely driven by a fringe of the ultra-left, with opportunistic gangs engaging in looting from the poor suburbs.