Second day of violence in Milan as protesters clash with police

Protesters have clashed with police in a second day of violence in the Italian city of Milan.

On Sunday, people threw stones and looted shops during demonstrations against poor services and the rising cost of living.

Several hundred hooded protesters smashed shop windows and set bins alight near central Piazza del Duomo, the Reuters news agency reported.

Officers in riot gear fired tear gas and used water cannons to try to quell the unrest.

More than 60 protesters were taken to a police station for checks.

The violence happened a day after similar clashes in Milan, as well as other northern Italian cities, including Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin. Some 28 protesters were arrested.

On Saturday in Milan, a march against wars and the rising cost of living started peacefully.

But then masked protesters in the square in front of the Gothic cathedral threw stones at riot police, who in turn used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Officers also tried to clear hooded protesters from the Galleria Vittorio ‌Emanuele II, the luxury shopping arcade on one side of the cathedral square, as groups broke away from the protest.

At least two police officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators, including many aged under 18, were detained, the LaPresse news agency reported.

Elsewhere, police ‌in Bologna used water cannon on the crowds ​and made seven arrests after a protest there became violent.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned ​the violence and announced a government meeting ​on Monday to discuss how to address the situation.

In a social media post, Ms Meloni, who is facing an election next year, wrote: "Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not."

She hit out at "hooligans who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those responsible for ensuring security and hold entire cities hostage".

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Milan's centre-left mayor Giuseppe Sala said "the reasons for the protests were understandable".

He added: "The violence against law enforcement and serious damage to the city are not justifiable."

The unrest coincided with nationwide demonstrations in neighbouring France on Saturday against rising living costs and declining public services in some of the country's most violent protests in years.

(c) Sky News 2026: Second day of violence in Milan as protesters clash with police