Fires have been reported at multiple schools in France as student protests, initially focused on blockading education institutions, have spread nationwide. Blazes were filmed at two high schools in Nantes and another in Rouen, with one fire in Nantes damaging the entrance hall of Nelson Mandela high school after a bin was set alight.
Students are protesting a lack of teachers and staff, overcrowded classrooms, and run-down buildings. University students have also joined the demonstrations, citing similar demands. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held a crisis meeting on Thursday to discuss the unrest, with the government describing the student-led demonstrations as having descended into "urban violence".
French media reports indicate 625 people were arrested on Wednesday alone, with 83 police officers injured. More than 600 arrests were made by midday on Thursday, excluding Paris. Public transport services in Marseille and Strasbourg were halted on Thursday due to vandalism, threats of violence, and to hinder protesters.