Italian police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent demonstrations in Milan and Bologna on October 17, 2026.
Key facts
- •Protests occurred in Milan and Bologna on October 17, 2026, centered on the high cost of living.
- •Police in Milan deployed tear gas after being targeted with stones and other objects.
- •Bologna police used water cannons to disperse protesters and reported seven arrests.
- •The Duomo metro station in Milan was closed during the clashes.
- •Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly condemned the violence.
Italian police engaged in clashes with protesters in Milan and Bologna on October 17, 2026, during demonstrations against the rising cost of living. Authorities deployed tear gas in Milan and water cannons in Bologna to disperse crowds after protesters threw stones and other objects at officers. The unrest led to the closure of a central metro station and caused shops to shutter as tourists fled the areas.
Clashes in Milan and Bologna
In Milan, police in riot gear attempted to clear hooded protesters from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a luxury shopping arcade adjacent to the city's cathedral square. Several individuals were reported injured, and multiple arrests were made during the confrontation. In Bologna, police utilized water cannons to manage the crowds, resulting in seven confirmed arrests.
Government Response
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence following the events. In a statement posted to social media, she acknowledged that demonstrating is a right, but stated that turning cities into battlegrounds is not.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Straits Times World, Jerusalem Post.
