On the fourth night of riots in France sparked by the tragic police shooting of a 17-year-old teenager, looters burst into a weapons store in Marseille, resulting in more than 1,000 people being detained.
The killing of the young delivery driver Nahel Merzouk by police during a traffic check ignited a wave of violence throughout the nation earlier last week.
After 1,311 individuals were detained on Friday night, June 30, the French government sent 45,000 police to the streets and suspended bus and tram service at 9:00 PM local time, as reported by Evening Standard.
The French interior minister said that 79 police officers were hurt during the violent disputes with the protesters. President Emmanuel Macron's call for parents to keep their children at home has not stopped street clashes between young protestors and police.
Authorities estimated that 2,500 fires were started and that businesses were also broken into.
Ransacked Firearms Store in Marseille
Several hunting rifles were reportedly stolen by looters who stormed into a gun store in Marseille, according to the police. They said they had apprehended one suspect in possession of one of the guns at another place in the area.
Evening Standard said Marseille's Mayor Benoit Payan has requested that the government send in reinforcements to deal with the "pillaging and violence" in the city.
The towns of Lyon, Paris, and Strasbourg all saw reports of violent fights as well.
At the same time, British tourists were being warned about visiting France due to the possibility of curfews being implemented throughout the country. The Foreign Office issued a warning to foreign visitors about anticipated delays.
"Riots have taken place across France. Shops, public buildings, and parked cars have been targeted ... There may be disruptions to road travel and local transport provision may be reduced. Some local authorities may impose curfews," the statement reads.
"Locations and timing of riots are unpredictable. You should monitor the media, avoid where riots are taking place, check the latest advice with operators when traveling and follow the advice of the authorities."
It is impossible to anticipate when or where riots may break out. Officials suggest people watch the news, stay away from areas where riots are happening, get up-to-date travel information from service providers, and do what the authorities say.
Funeral for Nahel Merzouk
In a mosque in Nanterre, the Paris district where the teen was slain, family and friends gathered on Saturday afternoon, July 1. According to CNN, the burial was somber and silent as mourners waited in solitude for Merzouk's casket to be carried out in the mosque.
After the funeral was over, the corpse would be carried to be buried. A large security detail was stationed outside the mosque to ensure peace and quiet inside.
Mounia Merzouk, the boy's mother, said on Friday that she held the cop who shot her son solely responsible for his death. Nonetheless, the murder has prompted widespread destructive unrest and inquiries on whether or not his ethnicity had a role in his death.
