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Milan police deploy tear gas as protest unrest continues

Italian authorities escalated their response to anti-government demonstrations in Milan on the second consecutive day of clashes. Police used tear gas and water cannons after protesters damaged storefronts and set fires near the city's iconic Piazza Duomo.

LSN Malaysia · 19 October 2026

Milan police deploy tear gas as protest unrest continues

Law enforcement in Milan intensified efforts to contain the escalating street unrest as hundreds of masked demonstrators engaged in destructive acts across the city centre. The clashes marked the continuation of anti-government protests that have gripped the Lombardy capital, with officers deployed in riot gear to manage the volatile situation.

Police responded to the destruction with crowd control measures, including deployment of tear gas and water cannons against the crowd. Several shop windows were shattered during the demonstrations, and rubbish bins were set ablaze near the central Piazza Duomo, one of Milan's most prominent landmarks and popular tourist destination.

The second day of unrest signals a potential hardening stance by authorities in managing the demonstrations. Additional police resources have been mobilised to prevent further property damage and maintain order in the downtown area, with heightened security expected to remain in place as tensions show no immediate signs of subsiding.

Local authorities have called for calm while investigations into the incidents continue. The clashes have disrupted normal commercial activity in the affected areas, with businesses in the city centre forced to close temporarily as a precautionary measure.