Sadly, two people have lost their lives and hundreds have been detained across France following the joyous celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters after the club’s victory in the Champions League final, as reported by the French interior ministry.
In the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy tragically died from a stab wound to the chest late Saturday night, according to local media reports.
Moreover, a 23-year-old man riding a scooter in central Paris was fatally hit by a vehicle, as indicated by the prosecutor’s office.
During the exuberant celebrations of PSG’s historic win in European club football, flares and fireworks were set off, bus shelters were damaged, and vehicles were set on fire.
The French interior ministry reported that 192 individuals were injured and 559 were arrested, with 491 of those arrests taking place in Paris. Additionally, 22 police officers and seven firefighters sustained injuries, and 264 vehicles were burned.
Julien Dubois, the Mayor of Dax, conveyed his condolences, stating that his “thoughts are with the young victim, his family, and friends.”
“We are heartbroken by the events of the night,” he shared on social media. “It is essential to quickly clarify these circumstances to ensure that the perpetrator faces serious consequences.”
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office informed the BBC that two police officers were injured by projectiles thrown at Place des Ternes, while “numerous shops were looted” in that area.
Around 30 individuals were arrested and taken into custody near a Foot Locker on the Champs-Elysées that had been robbed, according to the office.
While disturbances occurred near the famous Champs-Élysées avenue and PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, the majority of fans celebrated PSG’s 5-0 victory over Inter Milan peacefully, with many singing and dancing in the streets or beeping their car horns.
The Eiffel Tower was lit up in the blue and red colors of PSG.
French President Emmanuel Macron, a passionate fan of the rival team Olympique de Marseille, shared on X: “What a glorious day for PSG! Bravo, we are all filled with pride. Paris shines as the capital of Europe tonight.”
In preparation for the lively celebrations, around 5,400 police officers were stationed throughout Paris.
According to Paris police, at least 300 individuals were detained on suspicion of carrying fireworks and inciting chaos.
“Those causing trouble on the Champs-Elysees aimed to provoke incidents and frequently clashed with police by hurling large fireworks and other items,” the police stated in their announcement.
Reports indicate that riot police employed a water cannon to prevent a crowd from advancing towards the Arc de Triomphe and discharged tear gas into the throngs.
Additional confrontations between law enforcement and crowds took place on the Paris ring road, with at least two vehicles set ablaze near the Parc des Princes.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau took a firm stance against the unrest, posting on social media: “Genuine PSG fans are relishing their team’s spectacular match.
In the meantime, some troublemakers have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and challenge the police.
“It’s just unbearable that we can’t enjoy a party without worrying about the violence from a small group of thugs who have no respect for anything.”
Meanwhile, just outside of Paris, police reported that a car crashed into PSG fans in Grenoble, located in the southeast of France, resulting in four injuries.
According to the police, all the injured individuals were from the same family, with two of them suffering serious injuries.
The driver turned himself in to the police and was arrested. A source close to the investigation informed the AFP news agency that it was believed the driver did not act on purpose.
The PSG team is set to hold a victory parade on the Champs-Elysees in Paris this Sunday, where tens of thousands of fans are expected to come out to see their team return after their 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Ucl final.
Macron’s office announced that he would meet with the winning players on Sunday to congratulate them.
