Environmental and economic protesters clashed with police near the Olympic Village in Milan, northern Italy, following the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
On Saturday, around 10,000 people marched to denounce what they called the “unsustainable” Olympics. At the end of the demonstration, dozens of rioters threw stones and launched fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas and a water cannon.
On the same day, sabotage of rail infrastructure near Bologna and Pesaro disrupted traffic and caused delays to both high-speed and conventional train services.
Officials said cables were damaged on a section of the Bologna-Venice line, and there was an arson attack on a rail traction substation on the Ancona-Rimini line. An improvised incendiary device was reportedly found on the tracks.
Flares fired at police and media in Milan as anti-Olympics protests spreadThousands marched past Olympic Village opposing Milano Cortina 2026Italy passed preventive detention decree 🅱️efore the Games openedProtesters say public funds burned on Olympics instead of healthcare pic.twitter.com/2XYDvi5L7R
— Boi Agent One (@boiagentone) February 7, 2026
RAI reported that while no one claimed responsibility, the authorities suspect anarchists were involved.
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Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called the “premeditated attack” an attempt by those “wishing to harm Italy.” He compared the sabotage to past left-wing protests that briefly occupied train stations.
The Olympic flame was lit at Milan’s San Siro Stadium on Friday. Nearly 3,000 athletes from over 90 countries are taking part in the Winter Olympics.
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