Despite almost 1,000 cars being on fire, hundreds of thousands of people in France welcomed the New Year with largely peaceful celebrations, according to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Retailleau announced late Wednesday that 984 cars went up in flames across the country. About 420 people were arrested, of which 310 were taken into police custody.
The minister called the figures unacceptable. “This violence is the result of brutality represented by guards and thugs who attack the property of often humble French people who do not have the means to protect their vehicles in private car parks.”
But the crowds on the Champs-Élysées in Paris were not affected as they celebrated with stage shows and music on the famous boulevard, capped by a fireworks display at the Arc de Triomphe but the interior minister.
The event, which like last year was expected to draw about 1 million people, was largely peaceful, according to initial reports.
Around 10,000 police officers were deployed in the French capital and special security measures were in place for the party on the main road, which was closed to traffic.
Visitors had to pass through several security gates, and fireworks and glass bottles were banned, which greatly discouraged the consumption of alcohol by revelers.
Citing the authorities, the BFMTV channel reported that 136 people were arrested during the city's celebration.
In the rest of France, too, the beginning of the year was very calm, although there were clashes between rioters and the police in some cities.
In Strasbourg, a 15-year-old boy was killed when he was run over by a car fleeing from the police.
In Lyon, a two-year-old child was hit in the face with a fireworkand seriously injured his eye, according to media reports.
A school was set on fire in Sarrebourg in Alsace, but no injuries were reported.
