--- title: "271 Detained in Milan on Second Day of Protests as Demonstrators Smash and Loot Shops" description: "271 people were detained in Milan on the second day of protests as participants rioted and looted Decathlon, Arc'teryx, and Vodafone shops. Meloni condemned the violence and called a cabinet meeting." date: 2026-10-19T16:16:35.942Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/milan-riots-271-detained-looting tags: [italy, milan-riots, protests, looting, france-protests, giorgia-meloni] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # 271 Detained in Milan on Second Day of Protests as Demonstrators Smash and Loot Shops ![Hooded protesters attacking a shop window in central Milan during mass riots](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/19/milan-riots-271-detained-looting/milan-riots-271-detained-looting-1.webp) ## Key Points - In Milan, 271 people were detained on October 18; 32 were arrested, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals. - Protesters set fire to dumpsters and looted Decathlon, Arc'teryx, and Vodafone stores; police used tear gas and water cannons. - The riots marked the second day of protests following Saturday's clashes in Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo, and Turin (28 arrested). - Meloni condemned the violence and scheduled a government meeting for Monday; the events coincided with mass protests in France on October 17. On October 18 in Milan, on the second day of protests sparked by dissatisfaction with public services and rising prices, the situation escalated into mass riots. According to Italian police, 271 young people were detained during the clashes. Law enforcement reported that some of them smashed shop windows and looted stores in the city center. ### Store Windows and Looting: The Scene Police used tear gas and water cannons as several hundred hooded protesters set fire to dumpsters and began looting retail outlets. Damaged stores included Decathlon and Arc'teryx chains, as well as a Vodafone phone store in central Milan. Out of those taken to police stations, 32 people were arrested, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals, police stated on October 19. Another 28 individuals were handed over to judicial authorities. ### Second Day of Protests: From Demands to Riots The unrest in Milan was a continuation of similar clashes that took place on Saturday in several northern Italian cities — Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo, and Turin. According to authorities, 28 protesters were arrested at the time. On the second day of demonstrations, participants who initially protested against poor public services and high prices turned to arson and looting. ### Government Reaction: Meloni and Cabinet Meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence during the protests and announced a government meeting for Monday to discuss ways to resolve the situation. Thus, the authorities are attempting to simultaneously signal a firm stance against riots and find a mechanism for de-escalation amid ongoing public discontent. ### Italian Riots Against the Backdrop of French Unrest The events in Milan unfolded against the backdrop of large-scale protests in neighboring France, where hundreds of thousands took to the streets on October 17 in one of the toughest crackdowns in recent years. According to authorities, 2,000 people have already been detained in France, with 110 marches held nationwide. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu requested a partial curfew following the unrest, and the Louvre in Paris remained closed due to the protests. French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation following the largest-scale protests and riots in recent years. ## Accounts differ ### Number of protesters in France on October 17 - **French Authorities:** The number of march participants nationwide was about 550,000 people ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/italiyi-protestuvalniki-grabuvali-i-gromili-1792425251.html)) - **Protest Organizers:** The number of participants is estimated at approximately 800,000 people ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/italiyi-protestuvalniki-grabuvali-i-gromili-1792425251.html)) *Where they agree:* Mass protests and riots took place in France on October 17, which is confirmed by both authorities and organizers ## Fact-Check & Sources - [В Италии протестующие грабили и громили магазины известных брендов, задержан 271 человек](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/italiyi-protestuvalniki-grabuvali-i-gromili-1792425251.html) - Primary source: 271 detained in Milan on 18.10, looting of Decathlon/Arc'teryx/Vodafone, 32 arrests (23 minors, 13 foreigners), 28 referred to court; Saturday clashes in 5 cities (28 arrested); Meloni's statement; French context (2,000 detained, 110 marches, 550k–800k participants, Lecornu's curfew, Macron's address). ## FAQ ### How many people were detained in Milan on October 18? According to Italian police, 271 young people were detained. Of these, 32 were arrested (including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals), and another 28 were handed over to judicial authorities. ### Which stores were damaged in Milan? Reports indicate that protesters looted the Decathlon and Arc'teryx chains, as well as a Vodafone phone store in the city center. ### How did the Italian authorities react? Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence and announced a government meeting for Monday to discuss ways to resolve the situation.