PROTESTERS ransacked shops and hurled petrol bombs at police in Italy and Spain last night over new restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Violence erupted in the Italian city of Turin as protesters smashed windows, set off smoke bombs and hurled bottles at cops.
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A firefighter walks past a burning bin during protests in Barcelona[/caption]
Police officers stand guard outside a smashed Gucci store in Turin[/caption]
Protesters clash with police in Milan during violent protests[/caption]
Cops stand guard outside a Gucci store in Turin[/caption]
Officers stand guard as protesters take to the streets in Barcelona[/caption]
A bin burns during protests in Barcelona[/caption]
Protesters in Milan lit coloured flares in the streets[/caption]
Protesters take to the streets in Milan[/caption]
Riots erupt in Milan over new coronavirus restrictions[/caption]
Luxury clothing shops, including a Gucci store, were ransacked in the city centre as crowds of youths took to the streets to set off firecrackers and coloured flares.
Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Hours earlier, 300 taxis peacefully lined up in neat rows in the same area to draw attention to the financial losses from the pandemic.
Police also used tear gas to scatter protesters in Milan as crowds chanted “freedom, freedom, freedom” in the city centre.
The unrest was blamed on extremist agitators and police said 28 people had been arrested in the capital.
There were also clashes in Spain last night as hundreds gathered in Barcelona to protest the Spanish and Catalan governments’ latest coronavirus restrictions.
Protesters set fire to bins and lit flares in the street to demonstrate against curfews.
Officers stand guard at the Central Station area during demonstrations [/caption]
Hooded youths drag bins to form a barricade in Barcelona[/caption]
A fire burns as police and protesters clash in Turin[/caption]
Demonstrators set fire to public property in Turin[/caption]
Firefighters put out a fire during demonstrations in Turin[/caption]
Protests in Italy have been prompted by a government order to close bars, cafes and restaurants at 6pm, which lasts until November 24, also took place in Rome, Genoa, Palermo and Trieste.
Last week, a peaceful march by shopkeepers in Naples over a regional 11pm curfew turned violent near the Campania region’s headquarters.
Police officers were injured, according to Italian media, during the violence led by Camorra, the local organised crime group.
A day later, an extreme right political group staged a violent demonstration in central Rome.
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The crackdown was announced on Sunday, a day after Italy registered more than a half a million confirmed coronavirus cases since the outbreak began.
On Sunday, Italy registered 21,273 new confirmed cases and 128 deaths.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has insisted people keep wearing masks outdoors, while cinemas, gyms, pools have also been closed under the new restrictions.
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