Six people have been arrested after police clashed with protesters in Milan, one of the hosts of the Winter Olympic Games, during the first day of the competition.
Thousands took to the streets of the city in northern Italy on Saturday to protest against a range of issues including the cost of living. Some fired flares and threw stones at police, who responded with water cannon.
It comes after the government tightened protest laws in the wake of a demonstration last weekend in Turin that left more than 100 officers injured, according to government figures.
Meanwhile, officials are investigating suspected sabotage on northern Italy's railway network on Saturday.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described those involved in confrontations in Milan as criminals. Just days after the shameful violence in Turin, more clashes, more attacks on law enforcement, he said. Salvini described the new security package aimed at controlling protests as necessary for effective intervention against violence.
Amid chaotic scenes, most participants marched peacefully, expressing their concerns over the environmental impact of the Olympic Games. Protest organizers emphasized that billions were spent on infrastructure rather than protecting natural landscapes.
As authorities seek to control the situation, the ongoing investigation into the railways reveals a pattern of vandalism reminiscent of past Olympic events, raising concerns over security and public safety as the Games continue.
