Thousands of revellers flout Covid-19 restrictions to attend Marseille carnival

Thousands of revellers flout Covid-19 restrictions to attend Marseille carnival

Authorities in the French city of Marseille have expressed outrage after some 6,000 people gathered for an unauthorised carnival to celebrate the first day of spring. Many of the revellers at the #LaPlaine carnival were not wearing masks, and security forces made several arrests for damage to property while others were fined for flouting coronavirus restrictions.

Thousands gather for a carnival in Marseille, breaking Covid health restrictions

More than 6,000 mostly unmasked people took part in an illegal street party in the southern French city of Marseille at the weekend, leading to condemnation of an "unaccceptable" breach of Covid-19 rules.

French police break up ‘unauthorized’ carnival in Marseille after thousands of revelers defy Covid-19 restrictions

A street festival in Marseille that attracted crowds of merrymakers ended with tear gas and fines after local authorities declared the event unlawful and dispatched police to clear out the area.

Coronavirus: Police break up carnival in Marseille

The southern French port city hosts the La Plaine event every March. But this year's unauthorized party was also partly a protest against continued coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions on movement.