Meloni calls emergency security meeting over unrest in Milan

Government response to weekend events

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has initiated an emergency meeting dedicated to public order issues. This gathering is a response to a series of street clashes that took place on 17 and 18 October in Milan and other cities across the country.

«Я скликала нараду з питань громадського порядку в Палаццо Кіджі, щоб оцінити ситуацію та розглянути подальші заходи проти тих, хто використовує законні демонстрації для розпалювання насильства і хаосу» (I have called a public order meeting at Palazzo Chigi to assess the situation and consider further measures against those who use lawful demonstrations to incite violence and chaos), the head of government emphasised.

Scale of detentions and damage

According to Rai News, more than 200 people were detained in Milan over the weekend. The majority of those arrested were minors.

Numerous instances of looting were recorded during the protests. Members of the crowd smashed shop windows and robbed stores and supermarkets. The most significant destruction was documented in Milan, where teenagers threw chairs, tables and elements of street railings at the glass facades of commercial establishments.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the damage incurred exceeded half a million euros.

Security measures in the city centre

In response to the escalation of violence, authorities have introduced enhanced security measures in the central parts of the city. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II was surrounded by armoured vehicles, and the main cathedral, the Duomo, was temporarily closed to tourists.