Protests escalate in France: Schools on fire; Headteacher doused in petrol; Shocking footage of mass unrest

High school protests are taking place across the country over a lack of teaching staff and deteriorating school buildings, and at one point the situation spiraled out of control — fires broke out at at least two schools, and one headteacher was doused with petrol.

The most dramatic scenes were reported in the southern city of Marseille. Hundreds of young people surrounded a fire engine that had arrived to put out a blaze at Saint-Exupéry High School, police said. The attackers forced the firefighters to leave the vehicle and then set the fire engine on fire.

In the same city, a school headteacher was also attacked. According to prosecutors, the attackers doused him with petrol and beat him. No details about his condition have yet been released.

A fire also broke out on Thursday at Nelson Mandela High School in Nantes, western France. Deputy Mayor Olivier Château told Franceinfo that the fire was under control and that no one was injured in the incident.

The building was evacuated, while students who had not yet arrived at the school were turned back, Château said.

Hundreds arrested, mostly teenagers

The protests and blockades began last week and have now become a serious political problem for Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government. The situation is particularly sensitive because the government on Thursday unveiled a series of highly unpopular austerity measures as part of its 2027 budget.

Several dozen people have been injured in the protests so far, while hundreds, mostly teenagers, have been arrested, according to authorities.

Students have accused the police of using excessive force, including tear gas. The government has condemned the violence, while also acknowledging that the problems facing French high schools must be taken seriously and addressed.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned that in some places, rioters are moving from one school to another in an attempt to incite violence.

More than 600 people arrested

More than 600 people have been arrested during actions blocking high schools in France, while more than a hundred students and police officers have been injured in clashes with police, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said yesterday.

According to him, 625 people were arrested, while 199 people were injured, including 83 police officers.

He condemned the “targeting of police officers, the throwing of projectiles and violence,” as well as “urban violence.”

According to him, the police intervened with “a great deal of restraint,” while investigations have been launched into the injured students.