Two Deaths and Hundreds Arrested Amid Violent Festivities After Historic Win. PARIS, FRANCE — The streets of Paris and several other cities across France erupted in celebration on Saturday night after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. However, what began as joyous festivities quickly turned tragic and chaotic, with two deaths, hundreds of arrests, and widespread property damage reported across the country.
According to France’s interior ministry, two deaths occurred during the night of celebration, as fans flooded public spaces to celebrate PSG’s first-ever Champions League title. The ministry also confirmed that 559 people were arrested nationwide, with 491 of those arrests taking place in Paris alone.
The night’s most tragic incidents involved the two deaths that occurred amid the frenzy. In Paris’s 15th arrondissement, a man riding a motor scooter died after being struck by a car just a few kilometres from the Champs-Élysées, where thousands had gathered to celebrate.
Two Deaths Mar a Night of Celebration
In a separate incident in the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed during a celebration. Authorities confirmed the stabbing occurred “during the celebrations,” though it remains unclear if it was directly related to the football festivities. The perpetrator is currently at large, and an investigation is ongoing.
These two deaths cast a somber shadow over what was meant to be a historic and joyful night for PSG and its supporters.
Alongside the two deaths, the French interior ministry reported a wave of disturbances across the country. A total of 692 fires were recorded overnight, including 264 vehicles that were set alight. Authorities also confirmed that 18 police officers were injured in Paris, with three more hurt in other cities. Additionally, 192 civilians and seven firefighters sustained injuries during the unrest.
Clashes between fans and police broke out on the Champs-Élysées and near PSG’s home stadium, Parc des Princes, where 48,000 fans had gathered to watch the final on large screens. Police in Paris used water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to reach the Arc de Triomphe. Some “troublemakers,” according to police reports, hurled fireworks and other objects at officers.
In the Normandy region, a police officer was placed in an induced coma after being hit in the eye by a firework. Meanwhile, in the city of Grenoble, a car plowed into a group of celebrating fans, injuring four people—two of them seriously. All victims were from the same family. The driver turned himself in and was arrested, though authorities believe the incident was accidental. Tests showed the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Despite the night’s violence and two deaths, PSG plans to go ahead with a victory parade on the Champs-Élysées. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend as the team returns to Paris, adding to the already heightened security concerns.
The French government, including President Emmanuel Macron’s office, praised the team for its victory. Macron posted on social media platform X, calling it a “day of glory for PSG,” and is expected to host the team at the Élysée Palace to congratulate them personally. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo also celebrated the win, calling it “historic.”
The 5-0 win in Munich marked PSG’s first Champions League title in club history, and for many fans, it was the culmination of years of disappointment and rebuilding. One 20-year-old fan named Clément said, “It’s so good and so deserved! We have a song that talks about our struggles, and it hasn’t always been easy. But we got our faith back this year with a team without stars. They’re 11 guys who play for each other.”
The match drew an audience of 11.5 million viewers across France, according to Médiamétrie and broadcaster Canal+.
As the country celebrates PSG’s historic triumph, officials are also left to grapple with the consequences of the violence and two deaths that occurred during the night. Investigations into the incidents in Paris and Dax are ongoing, and law enforcement is expected to maintain a strong presence in the capital for the upcoming parade.
While the majority of fans celebrated peacefully, the scale of the unrest has renewed concerns about managing large public gatherings, particularly those following major sporting events.
Source- EWN
