Europe’s Riots Take Terrifying Turn As Anti-Terror Police Investigate Arson, Reports Of Armed Rioters Surface

French anti-terrorism investigators have joined an investigation into the destruction of a historic city hall as violent riots and reports of armed terrorists sweep across Europe.

The demonstrations on Saturday erupted into violence across France, with rioters attacking police, setting fires and destroying public property, according to the Haute-Vienne Prefecture. Meanwhile, reports alleging that rioters were carrying military-grade firearms have intensified concerns about the unrest, although French intelligence authorities have disputed those claims, according to Le Monde.

Footage circulating on X has separately purported to show armed individuals in France, although the video’s date, location and any connection to the ongoing demonstrations remain unverified.

Perhaps the most dramatic incident occurred in Limoges, France, where masked rioters stormed the city’s historic town hall and deliberately set the building ablaze on Oct. 17, according to the Haute-Vienne Prefecture.

The fire engulfed the 143-year-old building, causing its roof and bell tower to collapse as dramatic footage circulated across social media, according to Euronews.

The attackers also threatened two municipal employees with death while deliberately setting fires inside the occupied building, Haute-Vienne Prefect Maurice Barate said during an Oct. 18 press conference.

“Those who came to do this are enemies of the Republic,” Barate said during the press conference.

French authorities arrested a suspect associated with far-left extremism on Oct. 20, with the country’s specialized anti-terrorism police joining the investigation, French outlet Télévision Française (TF1) reported, citing investigators.

However, France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor has not formally taken over the investigation. Prosecutors are examining whether the attack involved organized efforts intended to spread terror, according to TF1.