21.10.2026 11:32
During protests in France, as streets were ablaze, a young person dancing for TikTok with the fire behind him as if nothing had happened sparked a major debate. In demonstrations that began against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, vehicles were set on fire, businesses were looted, and thousands of people were detained. While curfews were imposed in some areas, the dance video filmed amid the chaos stunned those who saw it.
After protests in France against the high cost of living, rising fuel prices and problems in the education system turned into violent incidents, tensions in the country are not easing. Vehicles and workplaces were set on fire in many cities, especially Paris, and looting occurred. As the streets were engulfed in flames, a person filming a dance video with the fire behind him became a trending topic on social media. While the government has begun imposing curfews in some areas, it was announced that soldiers will also be deployed ahead of new demonstrations.
HE FILMED A DANCE VIDEO AS THE STREETS WERE ABLAZE
In footage said to have been recorded during the protests in France, a person was seen dancing in front of the camera, seemingly indifferent to the flames rising in the background.
The video shared on social media drew attention among images revealing the scale of the events in the country. Dancing at the scene of the fire caused astonishment, while it has not yet been independently confirmed exactly in which city and when the footage was recorded.
NEARLY 800,000 PEOPLE POURED INTO THE STREETS
The most violent day of the protests in France was October 17. Hundreds of thousands of people took to squares across the country to protest against the high cost of living, rising fuel prices and conditions in schools.
It was reported that between 550,000 and 800,000 people joined approximately 110 marches held in many cities, especially Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Limoges.
Although most of the demonstrations were peaceful, violent clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in some cities. Police intervened with tear gas and water cannons, while some groups set up barricades and set fire to garbage containers and vehicles.
THEY SET THE CITY HALL ON FIRE AND LOOTED STORES
In the capital Paris, shop windows were broken, stores were looted and fires were set in the streets. Entering the city hall in Marseille and a fire breaking out in the city hall in Limoges were among the most notable developments.
Looting and arson also occurred in Lyon, and in some areas security forces struggled to bring protesters under control.
Authorities announced that more than 1,500 businesses were looted or damaged during the events and more than 2,400 people were detained. It was also reported that about 1,000 security personnel were injured.
CURFEW IN PARIS, HELICOPTERS IN THE SKY
After the violence, the French government increased security measures. Curfews covering nighttime hours were imposed in certain areas of Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice and Marseille.
In the capital Paris, heavy security measures were taken around Place de la République and Les Halles, while helicopters patrolled from the air throughout the night. In Marseille, restrictions in certain areas were planned to continue until Friday, and in Toulouse new restrictions were planned to begin starting Thursday.
SOLDIER DECISION FROM THE GOVERNMENT! ALARM RAISED FOR NEW DEMONSTRATIONS
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that large-scale security measures would be taken ahead of new protests planned for Saturday, October 24.
While soldiers are also planned to support police and gendarmerie teams, Lecornu said the deployment of security forces for the new demonstrations would be very extensive.
The government acknowledged that security measures were insufficient during the events on October 17, and President Emmanuel Macron also drew attention to the shortcomings. It was reported that Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez submitted his resignation, but Macron did not accept the request.
LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT HOURS: YELLOW VESTS ARE TAKING TO THE STREETS AGAIN
According to the latest information from France on the morning of October 21, the coordination team of the Yellow Vests movement filed an official application to organize a new march in Paris on Saturday.
The march is planned to run from Place de la Bastille to Place de l'Opéra. Student organizations and trade unions are also expected to join the new demonstrations.
Prime Minister Lecornu is scheduled to meet with union representatives today and to meet with political parties on Thursday. The government is expected to make its first statements next week regarding students' demands.
TIKTOK AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ALSO UNDER SCRUTINY
The protests in France resonated not only in the streets but also on social media. While footage of clashes and looting was viewed millions of times, some users were seen broadcasting live from the scenes to gain followers.
The French government summoned representatives of TikTok and other digital platforms to an emergency meeting. The meetings addressed the spread of content that could incite violence, misleading images created with artificial intelligence, and preventing looted products from being sold online.
The European Union has also begun investigating disinformation campaigns related to the protests. However, it was emphasized that there is no concrete evidence that the events were directly organized by foreign countries.
ALL EYES TURNED TO OCTOBER 24
While security measures have been increased in the country, the demands regarding the high cost of living, wages and the education system that underlie the protests have not yet been resolved.
With negotiations between the government and trade unions critical ahead of new demonstrations, eyes in France have once again turned to the streets for Saturday, October 24.