Shops Looted in Milan as Public Anger Sweeps Europe Over Living Costs

[Anchor]

Protests that began in France, fueled by anger over soaring inflation, housing insecurity, and poor educational conditions, are now spreading across Europe. In Milan, Italy, violent clashes reminiscent of urban warfare have led to 270 detentions.

Reporter Yu Deok-gi has the details.

[Reporter]

Milan, Italy, on the 18th (local time).

Enraged protesters smash store entrances, force their way inside, and loot goods.

In the world-famous tourist hub of Piazza del Duomo, protesters and police stand off before ultimately clashing.

As the protests escalated into violent clashes resembling street warfare, 271 people were detained by police in Milan over a two-day period.

With the group that led the protests warning of further demonstrations every Saturday, the Italian government decided to deploy 500 troops to defend Milan.

Protests protesting soaring living costs and low wages are spreading beyond Milan to cities across Italy, including Rome and Bologna. Meanwhile, in southern regions such as Naples and Sicily, truck drivers are staging road and port blockades to protest rising diesel prices.

The anger of citizens is spreading not only in Italy but across all of Europe, including Belgium, Portugal, and Albania.

In Portugal, where housing prices and rents have skyrocketed recently, protesters are staging a tent camp protest right in the middle of the capital city, Lisbon.

[Tiago Galvão / Portuguese Protest Participant : It's difficult to envision a future—even with a decent average salary—where you can secure a home, build a foundation for your life, and start a family.]

In Belgium, high school students have also taken to the streets to protest cuts to the education budget and increases in educational expenses.

[Down with the government, the police, and dictators!]

In Albania, anti-government protests that began in June have expanded into demonstrations by university students demanding improved educational conditions, leading to government buildings being set on fire and protesters occupying public offices.

[Alisa Braho / Albanian Protest Participant : We live in the poorest country in Europe with the highest prices. Many students are living in extremely difficult conditions.]

Amid chronic financial difficulties, shrinking welfare benefits, and soaring fuel and living costs driven by the aftermath of the Middle East war, accumulated public grievances are exploding. With no clear solutions in sight, the wave of protests in Europe is not expected to calm down anytime soon.

(Video Editing: Kim Byung-jik, Design: Park Tae-young, Lee Jun-ho, Video Source: X @ltalia24HLive)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.