Oct 18, Kathmandu - France is facing widespread unrest, with Paris and other major cities engulfed in tear gas, burning buildings and loud anti-government chants.

More than 550,000 people took to the streets to protest rising living costs and problems in the education system. The demonstrations escalated, triggering tensions across the country.

For several weeks, students had been protesting deteriorating school buildings and teacher shortages. Trade unions and activists from the 2018 Yellow Vest movement have since joined them.

What began as a largely peaceful protest has turned violent. CNN reported looting and arson in major cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Rennes and Lille.

In Lyon, a historic tourist office building was set on fire, while a blaze in Limoges caused the roof of the town hall to collapse. Protesters also smashed shopfronts, and an Apple Store in Lille was reportedly looted.