More than 200 arrested during second day of Milan protests

Italian police have arrested more than 200 people following a second day of street clashes and looting in Milan on Sunday, October 18. Euronews, NST Online, Il Sole 24 ORE, and Demócrata all report that the arrests took place after cost of living protests escalated in the northern Italian city. Demonstrators hurled bottles, ransacked stores, and destroyed property around the central Duomo plaza. [1][2][3][4]

Euronews reported that police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse groups in the Milan square. The unrest in Milan began on Saturday on the sidelines of a sanctioned demonstration against rising living costs. Euronews added that similar troubles took place in the northern cities of Bologna and Turin after other demonstrations. [1]

Il Sole 24 ORE and Demócrata both report that the majority of those detained by police are minors, with Il Sole 24 ORE noting that 80 per cent of those held are under age. As FTMQ News reported earlier, cost of living protests have recently flared across Europe, including widespread demonstrations and violent clashes in France and Portugal. [3][4][7][8]

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called a security meeting on Monday to address the violence, Euronews and Il Sole 24 ORE both report. Euronews added that the Prime Minister said the violence resembled scenes of chaos and looting seen recently in Paris. [1][3]