French authorities detained 448 people following clashes that erupted during nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs, while 53 security personnel were injured, according to provisional figures released by the Interior Ministry.

The arrests came as hundreds of thousands of people joined protests and strikes organised by trade unions demanding higher wages, improved public services and the withdrawal of additional austerity measures. Students and high school organisations also took part in the demonstrations, calling for more teachers, better learning conditions and improvements to the country's education system.

The Interior Ministry stressed that the arrest and injury figures remain preliminary and could be revised as authorities continue assessing the events.

Hundreds detained as protests turn violent

The Interior Ministry revised its estimate of nationwide turnout from 600,000 to 575,000 participants across 193 demonstrations held throughout France. Authorities said around 65,000 people joined the union-led march in Paris, while the Paris Police Prefecture had earlier estimated attendance at between 75,000 and 80,000.

The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), one of the organisers, disputed the official figures, saying approximately 1.6 million people participated nationwide, including around 350,000 in the French capital.

Although most demonstrations remained peaceful, clashes broke out in several cities, including Paris, Toulouse, Lyon and Bordeaux, where groups of rioters confronted security forces, damaged property and set fires. Police responded with tear gas and other crowd-control measures to disperse violent groups.

Unions demand higher wages and end to austerity

The nationwide mobilisation was organised by labour unions demanding higher wages, stronger purchasing power and the abandonment of additional government austerity measures.

Student and high school organisations, which have been protesting since late September, joined the demonstrations to demand that the Ministry of Education address teacher shortages in some schools, improve deteriorating educational conditions and ease what they described as excessive academic workloads.

To maintain public order, the government deployed around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country. Despite the extensive security operation, disturbances were reported in several major cities as the demonstrations concluded. The latest protests have added to pressure on the French government ahead of planned talks with unions and employers on wages and the rising cost of living, while also highlighting continuing public dissatisfaction over economic conditions and public services.(ILKHA)