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Unrest reaches Paris, over 250 arrested
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-06 11:15
PARIS - The urban unrest that triggered scores of arson attacks on vehicles,
nursery schools and other targets from the Mediterranean to the German border
reached Paris overnight, with police saying early Sunday that 13 cars were
burned in the French capital.
By 1 a.m., at least 607 vehicles — including those in Paris — were burned
during the 10th night of violence, said Patrick Hamon, spokesman for the
national police. The overall figures were expected to climb by daybreak, he
added.
A firefighter
extinguishes a car in 'Les Musicians' housing complex of Les Mureaux,
north west of Paris, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005 on the tenth day of unrest.
Vehicles and buildings were torched by youths in largely immigrant areas
who began rampaging after two of their peers were electrocuted last week
at a power substation while hiding from police they feared were chasing
them. [AP] | The violence — originally
concentrated in neighborhoods northeast of Paris with large immigrant
populations — has spread across France, extending west to the rolling fields of
Normandy and south to resort cities on the Mediterranean. Attacks were reported
in Cannes and Nice.
In the Normandy town of Evreux, arsonists burned at least 50 vehicles, part
of a shopping center, a post office and two schools, Hamon said.
Five police officers and three firefighters were injured battling the blazes,
he said.
The unrest is forcing France to confront long-simmering anger in its suburbs,
where many Africans and their French-born children live on society's margins,
struggling with unemployment, poor housing, racial discrimination, crime and a
lack of opportunity.
Police deployed a helicopter and tactical teams to chase down youths speeding
from one attack to another in cars and on motorbikes. Some 2,300 police were
brought into the Paris region to bolster security, France-Info said. More than
250 people were arrested.
The violence erupted Oct. 27 following the accidental electrocution of two
teenagers who hid in a power substation, apparently believing police were
chasing them.
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