Shops looted in Frankfurt as German cost-of-living protests turn violent

Rioters looted shops in central Frankfurt late Saturday, and police used water cannon against clashes there and in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg. Earlier demonstrations had been largely peaceful.

Protesters counted by authorities

18,000 people

Authorities in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin counted as many as 18,000 protesters, roughly half the organizers' estimate.

We all have those images from France in our minds – looting, burning houses, burning police vehicles, and attacks on police officers... France must not be held up as a model in this regard.

— Roman Poseck, Hesse interior minister

Frankfurt police said molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency services and many arrests were made. Poseck said around 100 left-wing extremists had infiltrated the protest.