France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, has provided an update on the situation following protests held across parts of the country today.
The minister said an estimated 550,000 people took part in the demonstrations nationwide, including 110,000 in the capital, Paris.
He added that approximately 400 people had been arrested, noting that most of them were adults who had no links to the student groups that organised the protests.
During clashes between protesters and security personnel, 60 security officers were injured, including two who were rushed to hospital unconscious.
Nuñez blamed the violence on individuals allegedly linked to far-right political groups, saying the attacks on government buildings appeared to have a specific motive.
He also reported cases of looting and attempted looting in several cities, including Paris, Rouen, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseille.