Hundreds of empty, parked cars go up in flames in France each New Year's Eve, set afire by young revellers, a much-lamented tradition that appeared in decline this year, which saw only 874 vehicles burned.
1,316 vehicles went up in flames on new Year's Eve 2019The number of cars burned overnight has declined compared to New Year's Eve 2019, when 1,316 vehicles went up in flames, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Saturday on Twitter.
Fewer arson attacks occurred because of massive police presence on cities' streets this New Year's Eve, enforcing law and order and restrictions on public gatherings and wearing face masks, as infections driven by the fast-spreading omicron variant surge, he said. There is no information on burned cars last year because of a nation-wide lockdown in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.Like many countries, France sees cars set on fire during the year for many reasons, including gangs hiding clues of their crimes and people making false insurance claims.The practice reportedly began in earnest among youths — often in poor neighbourhoods — in the 1990s in the region around Strasbourg in eastern France.
It also became a voice of protest during the fiery unrest by despairing youths from housing projects that swept France in the fall of 2005.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A new year and a new look for Home, the weathered mansion of BrisbaneNot far from the revellers who gathered on the Kangaroo Point cliffs to ring in the new year, workers were preparing to bring a grand old Brisbane residence back to life.
Read more »
Sydney quiet as revellers prepare to ring in the new yearThe city’s harbourside parks were empty of the usual crowds hours before midnight, as COVID-19 cases skyrocketed and many people scaled back plans.
Read more »
COVID tests included in US New Year’s celebrations
Read more »
Virus dampens global New Year celebrationsThe Omicron COVID variant dampened New Year festivities around the world, with Paris cancelling its fireworks show, London relegating its to television, and New York City scaling down its famous ball drop celebration in Times Square. 7NEWS
Read more »