Toulouse protest leaves one seriously injured, city center shut down

A man was seriously injured, with a hand described as "shattered" and three fingers affected, during the "against high cost of living" protest in Toulouse on Saturday, October 24. The incident occurred amid violent clashes between radical elements and police at the end of the march. The demonstration drew between 26,500 attendees, according to the prefecture, and 80,000, per the CGT union. While less violent than the previous weekend, 27 people were arrested, and three individuals are expected to face immediate court appearances. Authorities have opened an inquiry into the injury, with a witness claiming the man was hurt picking up a grenade. Local merchants reported a catastrophic day for business, with the city center largely shut down and protected by wooden boards. The prefect lifted a curfew after the march, but shopkeepers fear further weekend closures could force them to permanently shut down.