Malaysians recount tense moments caught in Paris riots

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian found himself trapped in Paris during the recent riots, recounting his tense experience on social media. Ozil Zainal was driving into the city when he encountered a stop in traffic caused by rioters passing through. With no way out on either side, he had to wait for the situation to calm down and traffic to resume. Security personnel, including firefighters and ambulances, were seen rushing to the scene, and the riots had caused significant damage to public property.

Another Malaysian, Lili Abroad, shared her harrowing experience while shopping at a luxury brand boutique in Paris. As she was in an LV (Louis Vuitton) store, the doors were locked, and other boutiques also closed their doors. She managed to leave the area quickly before the situation worsened, thanks to her sources providing her with information about the demonstration.

The riots are believed to have started around 5pm and have been spreading across several European countries since September, triggered by grievances such as student welfare, declining public services, and rising living costs. The unrest has led to some of the worst violence in France in decades.