MOSCOW, July 15 Almost 40 cars were burned on Bastille Day on July 14 in the French city of Lyon, four police officers were injured, the Figaro newspaper reported, citing a source in law enforcement agencies.
In Lyon, the national holiday of July 14 is associated with riots, the article says. This year, the number of burned cars was slightly higher than last year, but slightly decreased compared to 2022, when 54 cars were damaged.
In preparation for the holiday, 300 gendarmes, 400 police officers and 300 firefighters were mobilized in the city, who quickly dispersed about a hundred «hostile individuals» who had gathered in the city center and settled «several incidents in the suburbs.» Six people were detained as a result of the riots, the newspaper writes.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told Franceinfo radio on Monday that «more arrests were made in the run-up to the holiday, which made it possible to avoid the launching of fireworks and flares, which could be seen in recent years.»
Darmanin also noted that the celebrations «went well» and overall throughout the country there were «fewer riots and fewer burned cars.»
Overall, 90% more people were detained across the country than last year, and the number of burned cars decreased by 30% compared to 2022.