More than 400 people have been detained on a third consecutive night of widespread riots across the country, local media reports

More than 400 people have been detained in France on a third night of riots sparked by a fatal police shooting, several news organizations reported, citing sources in the Interior Ministry.

A total of 421 arrests were made, including 242 in the Paris area, according to reports from the early hours of Friday. Most of the detainees are between 14 and 18 years old, newspaper Le Figaro said.

“The record number of arrests reflect the firm orders issued by the minister to prefects and law enforcement agencies,” a source was quoted as saying by Le Figaro. 

The reports came after 5,000 additional police officers, as well as heavily armed tactical units and armored vehicles, were deployed to quell violent protests and riots, which erupted on Tuesday evening in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, and have since spread to other cities. 

Un énorme incendie est en cours dans un dépôt de bus RATP à Aubervilliers #emeutes #Nanterre #Nahel pic.twitter.com/M0biPYKXmf

— Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) June 30, 2023

Around 6,200 people, including 1,000 “troublemakers,” participated in protests in Nanterre alone, BFM TV reported, citing the Paris Police Prefecture.

READ MORE: French police officer who shot teen accused of homicide

People initially took to the streets to voice outrage after a 17-year-old man, identified as Nahel M., was killed by an officer during a traffic stop. The peaceful demonstrations quickly spiraled into violence, with rioters burning cars, shooting fireworks, and throwing Molotov cocktails at police.

Construction machinery stolen in Sarcelles area of Paris to smash down CCTV. pic.twitter.com/Mr7ZlnS8cf

— Kevin smith (@KJ00355197) June 30, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the shooting of the young man. The officer who fired the shot was charged with homicide.