France saw fewer of the car burnings that usually blight the arrival of a new year as the Olympic host country celebrated the start of 2024, the interior minister said Monday. The 380 arrests made nationwide overnight was a 10% drop compared with a year ago, said Gerald Darmanin, citing preliminary early morning figures.
Quick Read
New Year’s Eve in France: France experienced a decrease in car burnings and arrests during the New Year’s Eve celebrations as it welcomed 2024.
Reduction in Incidents: There were 10% fewer vehicle fires and arrests compared to the previous year. A total of 745 vehicle fires and 380 arrests were reported.
Police Injuries Decreased: About 40 police officers sustained minor injuries, marking a 40% reduction from the previous year.
Security Measures for Olympics: The reduction in New Year’s Eve incidents comes as France prepares to host the Summer Olympics starting July 26 in Paris. Enhanced security measures are being implemented in anticipation of the games.
High Police Presence: Approximately 90,000 law enforcement officers were deployed across France for New Year’s Eve, reflecting efforts to ensure public safety.
Celebrations in Paris: The New Year’s Eve celebration in Paris focused on the Champs-Elysees boulevard, with fireworks and light shows at the Arc de Triomphe, attracting over 1 million people.
Concerns Over Security: The heightened security measures and the reduction in incidents this New Year’s Eve are significant given past security challenges in France, including large-scale terrorist attacks like the one in 2015 that resulted in
The Associated Press has the story:
Olympic host country France sees less New Year’s Eve disorder as it celebrates 2024
Newslooks- PARIS (AP)
France saw fewer of the car burnings that usually blight the arrival of a new year as the Olympic host country celebrated the start of 2024, the interior minister said Monday.
The 380 arrests made nationwide overnight was a 10% drop compared with a year ago, said Gerald Darmanin, citing preliminary early morning figures.
Authorities counted 745 vehicle fires, also 10% fewer than last year, Darmanin said.
About 40 police officers suffered slight injuries, a 40% drop on last year, he added.
Law enforcement authorities had been eager to prove that 2024’s arrival could be celebrated without a major security crisis as they gear up for the Summer Games that open in Paris on July 26.
Authorities had vowed that New Year’s Eve security would be tight across France, with 90,000 law enforcement officers deployed.
In Paris, celebrations centered on the Champs-Elysees boulevard, where the Arc de Triomphe was crowned with fireworks and bathed in lights and video projections, including of the five Olympic rings. Darmanin said the crowd there topped 1 million people.
The security challenge ahead of the Olympics was highlighted when a tourist was killed in a knife attack near the Eiffel Tower on Dec. 2. Large-scale attacks — such as that in 2015, when Islamic extremists invaded a concert venue and shot up cafe terraces, killing 130 people — also loom in memory.
